In these Covid times, barrier trials and jump outs are the first time we see many of the spring hopefuls in public. The positive reports from trainers and pre-trainers for the past three months are now being put to the test. Indeed, over the past week there have probably been more horses going around in jump outs than lining up at the races.
OTI horses have been at the forefront of those trialling. On Monday alone, eight promising horses stepped out around the country in readiness for races over the next month. Many have Group 1 aspirations while others will be looking to make their first appearance on Australian soil.
Stakes winners Amade and Attorney laid good foundations for major staying races at Cranbourne and Gosford respectively. Amade won his trial and will start his campaign in the Naturalism on September 18, while Attorney, who finished his trial strongly, will start in this week’s Chelmsford at Randwick.
At the other end of the spectrum, Harmysian and Enosi finished within a length of each other a few lengths behind the previous Adelaide and Brisbane Cup winners. The Clayton Douglas trained, Harmysian, will have his first Australian start at Sandown over 1800m on Wednesday September 8, while Enosi, a late maturing import, will have his first start in a race over 1600m within the next 2 weeks. Both trialled well and will be most competitive when they race.
The enigmatic Harbour Views also trialled very well at Cranbourne finishing second in a fast run trial. This trial will bring him on well for the first start of his campaign in the Listed The Sofitel at Flemington on September 11. Meanwhile at Gosford the highly talented Sound of Cannons ran through the line strongly as he prepares for the Metropolitan, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
When OTI acquired Holstein early this year, the son of Snitzel was seen as a Guineas type. That opinion was not dinted in his trial at Warwick Farm when he settled behind the leaders and ran through the line strongly. He may have another trial before heading off to the races.
Finally, back at Cranbourne, Milestone, who is yet to win in Australia, trialed very well and now, as a fully acclimatised horse, is ready to show the form he displayed in France.
As tends to happen at trials, the hope of a good campaign for each of our horses was enhanced with Monday’s work outs. We can now dream of what might be as these talented horses appear in their respective races.
