We look back on the past week of trials and jump outs, with a couple of impressive performances from horses expected to be up and racing in the very near future.
Altruist has trialled at Cranbourne in good style on two occassions in the past week and he is now expected to return to the races. The son of Snitzel, a ’22 Easter Yearling Sale acquisition finished 4th in the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day at his only career race start and is considered a most exciting prospect.
Jockey Beau Mertens, who rode the colt in his trial, said “He charged out of the gate and put himself right up there. He travelled well the whole way through and responded good when I asked him to kick on a little. Very happy with his performance.”
“He did that nicely and won his trial by 1.5 lengths. We have a possible race option for him in two weeks time at Sandown over 1000m, but we will access his options and go from there. Excited to get him out to the races for the first time this preparation.” commented trainer Michael Kent Jnr post-trial.
Heading out west, we saw another trial winner in Zaynudin, a 5yo gelding by Fastnet Rock for Tom Dabernig. Zaynudin only arrived in Australia at the start of March this year and since has pleased his Warrnambool-based trainer in all his work.
An import from Ireland, the 5yo has had one win and 5 placings from his seven career starts, all over staying journeys of 2000m and above. “His most recent jump out over 1400m at Penshurst was a good piece of work, he travelled nicely and after a little hold-up was able to stretch out and win his trial. He will have another jumpout at Ararat on Thursday and will head to the races afterwards.”, said trainer Tom Dabernig in his update to owners.
The Swan Hill Carnival could possibly be the kick-off for his Australian career, with Dabernig eyeing off a 1600m Benchmark 64 on Sunday June 11.
Look out for those two in the race programs over the next couple weeks!