Two exciting OTI gallopers stamped themselves as horses to follow through the winter months, with impressive trial victories at Cranbourne on Monday.
The first of the Price & Kent-trained pair was Humza Bey, who relished the heavy conditions and cruised to victory in his heat with plenty in hand. More was expected from the talented Kiwi last campaign, but after a minor throat procedure, he looks to have come back an improved horse – hopefully this translates to raceday!
Already boasting a perfect two-from-two record on heavy tracks in New Zealand, he should be ideally suited by the rain-affected surfaces throughout the winter months.
The second of our trial winners was the intriguing import Think Giant, a lightly-raced son of Lope de Vega acquired from the Arqana Arc Sale last October after displaying stakes-class form in France.
Given the extremely heavy ground at Cranbourne, Craig Williams allowed the gelding to coast to the line under his own steam, comfortably winning the heat and maintaining his unbeaten Australian trial record.
Williams came away particularly impressed with the European stayer.
“I really like this horse, he’s got great aerobic capacity and stays very well,” he said.
With two encouraging trial performances under his belt and plenty of upside still to come, Think Giant shapes as a horse to watch in Australia.