Written by Oz Wedmore
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
There was plenty to whet the appetite at Hawkesbury on Monday morning, as some star names were sent out to stretch their legs.
In the first trial of the morning, held on the course proper, the main attraction was undoubtedly two multiple Group 1 winners in the form of Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and Duais (Shamus Award).
Having partnered him last season to Group 1 success in the Mackinnon S., James McDonald was back on board Annabel Neasham’s star galloper Zaaki. The pair jumped well to share the lead throughout the 1000-metre trial with Bjorn Baker’s War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro).
Although it was the latter who finished in front by 0.21l, Tommy Berry asked War Eternal to stretch as they headed into the straight, whilst McDonald sat motionless on Zaaki, who looks in great form ahead of a campaign that will see him target the G1 Cox Plate via the G2 Tramway S. War Eternal completed the last 600 metres in 33.36s.
The Edward Cummings-trained Duais put together back-to-back Group 1 wins last season in the Australian Cup and the Tancred S. Having been given an easy time in her first trial of the preparation earlier this month, she was stretched out under Joshua Parr and finished the trial off well having sat at the rear of the field.
Duais | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Finishing in third position, and leading home a trio in the trial for James Cummings, was G3 Show County winner Roheryn (Lonhro). Though he came close as a 2-year-old, Alcyone (Teofilo {Ire}) has yet to add a stakes victory to his CV. However, he finished a further 1.5l back and was amongst a classy field on Monday and may well have matured as a 5-year-old.
Finishing just behind him was Character (Teofilo {Ire}), winner of last season’s G2 Queensland Guineas. Last seen when disappointing somewhat to finish 10th in the G3 Rough Habit S., this was his second trial of the preparation.
Having pulled up sore after his fifth-place finish in the G1 Chipping Norton S. in February, Annabel Neasham’s import Top Ranked (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was given an easy time under Hugh Bowman in his first trial since.
Top Ranked (Ire) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
He’s never come close to winning a trial before, but Shameonus (Shamus Award) won the third heat in fine style for trained Bjorn Baker. He jumped well under Rachel King and flew round with an uncontested lead to complete the 1000-metre trial in 59.61s on a Good 4 track, just a shade faster than the Group Trial on the Course Proper.
The 5-year-old gelding improved steadily throughout last season, taking out the Orange Cup in April, and could be one to keep an eye on as he appears to have come back stronger than ever for this preparation.
Elsewhere, Andermatt (Snitzel) has long held promise as a stakes winner in waiting for James Cummings, but so far in his career victory at that level has eluded him. Taking a wide path under James McDonald, the 5-year-old gelding powered home impressively to win heat nine.
The speedy Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) showed up well in Heat 8 for trainer Brad Widdup, stretching out to win the 800-metre trial from Bjorn Baker’s Ita (All Too Hard). The last 600 metres was completed in 32.96.
Outlawed (Foxwedge) has yet to debut for trainer John O’Shea but made it two trial wins from as many attempts in taking out Heat 12. The 3-year-old filly picked up well when asked by Tommy Berry to move past Steel My Thunder (Capitalist) and complete the 800-metre trial in 47.36s.
Gallery: Some of the Hawkesbury trial winners, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Red Card (Ribchester {Ire}) has had two starts to date and faded to finish last in both. Now a 3-year-old, James Cummings will be hoping that her hard-held 4.3l victory in Heat 10 is a sign that she has come back stronger this season.
