by Anthony Manton
Warwick Farm trials on Friday featured a good mix of horses to follow.
American import Paulita (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) particularly impressed in heat one.
Paulita, a dual stakes-winner in America was purchased by Newgate Farm for USD$325,000, at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Mixed Sale.
Paulita is from the mare Blind Date (USA)(Not For Love {USA}), a six-time stakes-winner in America.
Newgate Farm also purchased recent Scone Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic winner Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) at the same sale for USD$575,000. Con Te Partiro, arrived as a stakes-winner in America and the UK, and is now a stakes-winner in three countries, a very rare feat for a mare.
Both Scat Daddy (USA) mares were selected as breeding prospects that could race in the short term with the goal of black-type success before starting their breeding careers.
Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace and having her second barrier trial in Australia, Paulita comfortably led throughout to win the heat over 1200m, and has progressed very well from her first trial at Randwick on April 26. On the strength of Friday’s performance, Paulita appears ready to head to the races and for perhaps a crack at black-type during the Brisbane winter carnival.
Heat eight featured the well-bred Rocquette (Hinchinbrook) stepping-out for her fourth barrier trial.
Rocquette is the first foal to race from stakes-placed mare Jacquetta (Encosta De Lago), a full-sister to Count Encosta (Encosta De Lago), and half-sister to Lieutenant (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), both Group 2 winners.
Rocquette was an $110,000 purchase at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for James Harron Bloodstock.
Rocquette as a yearling
Trained by Gary Portelli, Rocquette showed good speed to lead and control the trial before breaking away from the field the last 100m to win by 3.5 lengths. It was clearly her best performance at the trials and she appears ready to go to the races.
Also in heat eight, was a half-sister to Group 1 winner Your Song (Fastnet Rock). Zem Factor (The Factor {USA}), raced by Gooree and trained by Joe Pride was having her first appearance at the trials.
After travelling wide throughout, Zem Factor closed-off strongly to finish 3rd, encouraging work for her first trial and she appears to have her fair share of ability for Pride to work with.
Heat nine featured Saas Fee (All Too Hard), the first foal to race from Group 1-winning mare Snitzerland (Snitzel) stepping out for her first trial.
Trained by Gerald Ryan, Snitzerland was an eight-time winner from just twenty career starts and amassed nearly $2 million in prize money. Snitzerland is a full-sister to Group 3-winner Sooboog (Snitzel).
Saas Fee was a $500,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is raced by Werrett Bloodstock and Encompass Bloodstock.
Saas Fee as a yearling
Her full-brother was sold earlier this year at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $280,000 to Andrew Williams Bloodstock and Lindsay Park Racing.
Also trained by Gerald Ryan, Saas Fee hesitated and missed the start by 2 lengths, however, recovered quickly to pick-up ground along the rails approaching the home turn and was strong through the line to finish 2nd in the heat. With some racing manners still to iron out expect to see Saas Fee at the trials again before a race start.
Heat eleven saw sought after colt Bullet Master (Written Tycoon) stepping out for his first barrier trial.
Bullet Master was a $400,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Bullet Master as a yearling
Bullet Master is from the mare My Only Hope (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), three-times placed at stakes-level, and from the family of stakes-winner Wine Bush (High Chaparral {Ire}), and multiple stakes-placed Wine Tales (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Trained by Peter & Paul Snowden, Bullet Master was a little slow to begin before settling mid-field along the rails and followed the rail to fight the trial out and finish 2nd. It was a good solid hit-out for his first trial and the colt should only improve from the outing. Expect team Snowden to perhaps trial Bullet Master again before going to the races.
Finally, in heat fourteen Accoutrements (Exceed And Excel), the full-sister to Helmet, and Epaulette trialled again for the second time this preparation.
Now an unraced 3-year-old, Godolphin has had to be patient with the filly, and it might be starting to pay off as she put in perhaps her best performance yet at the trials.
Anticipating the start, Accoutrements began quickly before jockey Rachel King elected to take a sit just off the pace. Travelling wide into the home straight the filly was allowed to build momentum gradually and coasted through the line strongly finishing a very good 3rd.
Keep an eye out for Accoutrements in a provincial maiden in the coming weeks.
