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Scholtz's Say

Trial Watch Reviews: 19th February - 24th February 2026

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney and provincial trials at Randwick (February 19), Rosehill (February 23) and Hawkesbury (February 24).

PERFUMIST
PERFUMIST Picture: Martin King / Sportpix
HAWKESBURY February 24

Inside Grass; Good 4

15 Heats – 1 x 1200m (Open); 5 x 1000m (2 Open; 1 2YO; 2 Maiden); 9 x 800m (2 Open; 3 2YO; 4 Maiden)

Bjorn Baker's team had a day out winning eight of the 15 heats. John O'Shea and Tom Charlton also dominated winning the three 2YO heats over 800m.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Compensation; Our Queen

X Arato; Coco Affair; I'm A Beaut; Juja Kibo; Mailman; Pick Up The Tab; Satono Glow; Senjutsu; The Black Cloud; Twinkling Star

GLOBE
GLOBE Picture: Racing Photos
ROSEHILL February 23

Inside Grass; Good 4

10 Heats – 2 x 1030m (2 Open); 8 x 900m (2 Open; 4 2YO; 2 Maiden)

Only 10 trials but the form out of the open and 2YO heats will be a strong guide to what's ahead over the next six weeks.

The two open heats over 1030m were won by GLOBE (61.33; 34.46) and HIDDEN MOTIVE (61.21; 34.02) and while both got through their work in good style it was efforts behind them that should prove profitable in coming races.

GLOBE, having his first Sydney trial since he won over 2000m at Caulfield in the spring, worked well enough and responded to riding to win his heat from an eye catching GRAND PRAIRIE, a G3 winner ready to go the races after two trials. G1 winner NEPOTISM (4th) really warmed to his task over the last 100m in his first trial since his fourth in the Cox Plate while the 3YO PROVIDENCE had plenty to offer having an easy tick over trial following his first-up win at Wyong. He is shaping a genuine Rosehill Guineas/ATC Derby chance for the Waller stable.

HIDDEN MOTIVE led and found all that was required for a comfortable win in his heat but the efforts of IDLE FLYER (3rd), GRINGOTTS (5th) ARCTIC GLAMOUR (6th) and FREIGHT TRAIN (7th) all had merit and make this a trial where the form should be reliable.

The standout winners in other heats all came from the Bjorn Baker stable.

PARADOXIUM (Bjorn Baker): Classy 2YO appeared in his first trial since his easy Wyong Magic Millions win in December and made no mistakes running away with his 900m heat by more than four lengths in the fastest time of the session (53.42; 33.61). Sure to be well fancied when he puts his Golden Slipper chances on the line in the Todman Stakes. Keen to watch the progress of the Waller stablemates CENTRAL EUROPE, OMOLONG and AMAZONE after their solid efforts in this deep trial.

PERFUMIST (Bjorn Baker): Showed he's in the right form to add to his excellent record in his first trial since November, easily running to a big lead and travelling sweetly to cruise home by three lengths in a fast 900m heat (53.80; 34.04).

RACHINI (Bjorn Baker): Not sure where they are heading with this unraced youngster but she's now won two trials like a good horse and will be one to respect when they produce her on race day. Let down in great style to forge away with her 900m heat by more than four lengths in fast time (53.49; 34.43). The runner-up LEONESSA also looks to have talent.

Other 2YO heat winners were the fast unbeaten filly AGRARIAN GIRL (54.88; 35.16) and ARTANEOUS (54.52; 34.67). Prefer to note some promising efforts behind them by SATIN SERENADE, POWER BROKER, SOMETHINGS BURNIN and MILELE.   

NOTED TRIALS

XX Paradoxium; Perfumist; Rachini

X Arctic Glamour; Caffe Florian; Cristal Clear; Generosity; Grand Prairie; Hidden Motive; Idle Flyer; Leonessa; Look Here; Milele; Nepotism; Omolong; Power Broker; Providence; Satin Serenade; Skyhook; Somethings Burnin

LINEBACKER
LINEBACKER Picture: Steve Hart
RANDWICK February 19

Couse Proper/Randwick A Grass; Soft 5

Course Proper – 1 x 1000m (Group)

A Grass – 1 x 1200m (Open); 7 x 1050m (3 Open; 2 2YO; 2 Maiden); 6 x 740m (1 Open; 3 2YO; 2 C1/Maiden)

Soft conditions didn't hamper some quality performances by a G1 star and a batch of promising youngsters.

LINEBACKER (John O'Shea/Tom Charlton): The G1 winner showed the benefit of his first-up trial at Canterbury with a classy win in the Group trial over 1000m on the course proper (60.28; 34.83). He travelled wide outside the leader GANGSTA GRANNY before easily taking control and cruising to the line. The margin wasn't big but he had plenty in reserve. BEADMAN travelled easily in third with the sit but came under pressure to make ground for second while GANGSTA GRANNY had a soft time holding down third in a heat that where the form will be worth following. MILITARIZE took the eye warming to his task with strong work late through the line.

Linebacker's stablemate SHANGRI LA IMPACT also made a good impression with a free running win in the 1200m trial on the A grass (74.06; 34.61). It was also his second trial after a good spell and he looks set for a good campaign. GOLDEN CENTURY put in his best work late and is a stayer to follow through the autumn.

The open heats over 1050m featured some eye catching efforts. CHICA MOJITO motored to the line from the rear for second in the heat won by the leader WATSON (62.88; 33.87), ENRICHED trucked through his heat for an impressive win by more than four lengths (63.12; 33.18) and MEDIA WORLD was the one making the best impression with his strong second in the fastest of the three heats won by the pacy leader THE PLAYWRIGHT (62.44; 33.77).

The maiden filly HELLABELLA, placed in three of her first four starts, looks ready to break through after a smart win in the fastest of the seven heats over 1050m (62.15; 34.33) while the two juvenile trials over the trip featured promising efforts by CAMPIONE D'ITALIA, PROMENADE and SOUTHEND.

CAMPIONE D'ITALIA came from well off the pace in his heat won by KEYSTRIKE (63.11; 34.26), charging to the line over the last 50 metres. PROMENADE was keen to run and gave a good response when called on to comfortably win his heat (63.14; 34.39) from SOUTHEND in trials where the form looks reliable.

WELCOME GYPSY showed excellent pace to win the fastest heat over 740m (42.59; 32.38) while the three 2YO trials over the distance featured smart wins by PEYTON (43.81; 33.50), FOUND THE GOLD (43.61; 33.23) and AYRAAM (43.85; 33.60).

NOTED TRIALS

XX Linebacker

X Aryaam; Campione D'Italia; Cavallo Park; Chica Mojito; Enriched; Found The Gold; Gangsta Granny; Golden Century; Hellabella; Media World; Peyton; Portico; Promenade; Royal Silver; Shangri La Impact; Southend; Tuscany; Welcome Gypsy; Zoupripper


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