While the continuous wet weather is wreaking havoc with trials and race planning for our NSW trainers, our Victorian counterparts are full steam ahead with spring planning.
On Tuesday at Bendigo, we saw a trial performance you don’t see often. The unraced Sea Trader, for Robbie Griffiths, raised eyebrows with a barnstorming effort, coming from tailed off at the 400m to win the trial, running away. While still working it all out through the early and middle stages, the 3yo showed himself to have quite the motor when he balanced up in the straight and allowed to run to the line under his own steam.
Lachie King reported to connections that “the horse is still learning about his action and where to put his legs around the turn, but to make up that amount of distance under little riding over the last 400m was most impressive. He’s an exciting horse. A beautiful, strong type.”
Sea Trader is expected to have another trial before Robbie looks at a potential race debut.
Across to southeast Victoria on the same day, and Azazel contested a three-horse affair at Traralgon for Mark Walker. A young stayer yet to race, Azazel showed himself to have his share of ability when holding a margin on the line over the second-place getter, with a large margin back to third.
While we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves on the back of a jump-out victory, wouldn’t it be terrific if this Karaka Ready To Run graduate could join I’m Thunderstruck, Mark Twain and Hezashocka as Group & Listed-winning sons of Shocking to race in the OTI colours. A 3-year-old Derby campaign remains a hope for the connections of Azazel.
Earlier today, Noble Steed stepped out at Mornington and made it a third trial winner across the two days. In the hands of Anthony & Sam Freedman, Noble Steed remains a maiden but gave every impression that he’ll be able to get off the mark early in this forthcoming preparation.
We’ve high hopes that the slow-maturing son of Zed can race through his grades this spring and live up to the early potential seen in him prior to his purchase.
Let’s hope the weather clears in Sydney this week and we can soon see more at the trials from key spring hopes such as King Pedro, Athabascan and She’s Unusual.