Scholtz's Say
Trial Watch Reviews: 8th December - 9th December 2025
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Warwick Farm on December 8 and Randwick Kensington on December 9.
Kensington; Good 4
15 Heats – 2 x 1250m (1 Open; 1 C1/Maiden); 13 x 850m (3 Open; 4 2YO; 6 Maiden)
A sparkling trial by exciting filly SHIKI ensures she will be short odds when she next races on her way to the Magic Millions Classic.
AGATHA (Michael Freedman); Super return by this Capitalist filly in her first trial since she was beaten at short odds when making her debut in June. shouldn't be long making amends after she sailed home from last to win her 850m heat (50.34; 33.73) under a cold ride from Tommy Berry while all her rivals were under pressure from the 200m.
GENEROUS HARRY (Ron Quinton): Lightly raced 5YO by Harry Angel has been off the scene for 12 months but is sure to add to his record after winning two recent trials. Always in command of this 850m heat (50.77; 33.61), tracking three and four wide under a big hold and never coming off the bit to maintain a comfortable advantage to the line.
SHIKA (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): It's going to take a good youngster to beat this Too Darn Hot filly up to 1100m after a brilliant win in her 850m heat (49.93; 33.24). Led by five lengths with ease and looked all class cruising to the line, confirming she has made excellent improvement since her debut win in the Gimcrack Stakes. Like all youngsters she has to prove herself over 1200m but at this stage she's a worthy Magic Million favourite."Brilliant out of the gates and brilliant down to the line."
Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki demolishes a Randwick trial on Tuesday. The @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott filly led in a stable trifecta over Caloocan Beauty & Home Invasion. Note: Honeysuckle is at the tail @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/cCaSsvP0W4
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 8, 2025
Take note that another Too Darn Hot filly, the unraced NORMAN'S CAY, looked the part running faster time (49.76; 33.16) to win the quickest of the three 2YO heats in her second trial appearance.
Seeing a 2YO by Frankel win its first trial is an eye opener and that was the case with Chris Waller producing CENTRAL EUROPE for a strong win (50.85; 34.14) that augers well for his future. Farnan colt KNIGHTBRIDGE, a heavily backed flop; in the Maribyrnong Plate at his first start, won the other 2YO heat (51.04; 34.03) in good style where the effort of LAFITE should be ignored after he was stopped in his tracks in the straight when warming to his task.
SIGNOR TORTONI posted the quickest 850m in his open heat (49.17; 32.66) in a heat where NORTH ENGLAND is sure to take plenty of benefit from his wide run for fourth.
Tassort mare LADY TASSORT, unraced since one start in 2023, remains unbeaten in trials with her fifth win in her 850m heat (50.10; 33.67) by almost three lengths with plenty in reserve. Hard to beat if they pick the right maiden.
Impressive newcomer SIR LES (49.84; 33.43) and LADY OF THE CASTLE (49.63; 33.63) were other maiden heat winners showing they are ready to perform when produced.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Agatha; Generous Harry; Shiki
X Central Europe; Double Vision; Hopper; Insurrection; Knightsbridge; Lady Of The Castle; Lady Tassort; Lego Master; Lafite; Last Command; Norman's Cay; North England; Saytara; Signor Tortoni; Sir Les
WARWICK FARM December 8
Inside Grass; Good 4
13 Heats – 2 x 1200m (1 Open; 1 Maiden); 4 x 799m (4 Open); 7 x 796m (2 2YO; 5 Maiden)
A 2YO newcomer and a smart sprinter stood out with their trial performances.
EYE OF THE FIRE (Annabel & Rob Archibald): Set for a good prep after a classy second in his first trial since September. The in-form Coal Crusher took up the early lead in the fastest 799m heat (46.40; 32.80) with EYE OF THE FIRE settling two lengths back before picking up the bit and joining the last start Hunter winner on his inside. Always travelled better than his race fit rival and had plenty to offer finishing a close second.
WARWOVEN (Bjorn Baker): The quality of the 2YO trials is improving every week with this Sword Of State youngster showing abundant promise with an impressive debut trial. Given time to find his legs, he was fifth at the 400m before extending easily off the turn, striding out freely over the last 200m for a soft win by 1.7 lengths in good time (46.38; 33.31).Dual Hunter winner Coal Crusher warms up for Saturday's Razor Sharp at Randwick with an easy trial win at Warwick Farm on Monday. The @PrideRacing sprinter accounted for Eye Of The Fire & Icarian Dream in the 799m heat. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/cB0geit9K9
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 7, 2025
All Too Hard filly MODERNIST posted the quickest 2YO heat win (45.85; 32.94) with natural speed where the efforts of REGAL HUSTLE and AROMATHERAPY took the eye.
The 799m open heat winners ENGINE ROOM (47.17; 33.50) and TERRA MATER (48.52; 34.45) did all that was required to win their trials. Runners to impress with easy efforts included SAVVY HALLIE; FACEOFF and ICARIAN DREAM.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Eye Of The Fire; Warwoven
X Aromatherapy; At Her Mercy; Castlejohn; Don't What Me; El Qasabi; Engine Room; Faceoff; Icarian Dream; Indigo Star; In Limbo; Modernist; Valiant Dreamer; Regal Hustle; Savvy Hallie; Terra Mater
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