Scholtz's Say
Trial Watch Review - 2nd December 2025
Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Canterbury on December 2.
Course Proper; Good 4
21 Heats – 5 x 1100m (3 Open; 2 Maiden); 5 x 900m (3 Open; 2 2YO); 6 x 895m (4 2YO; 1 3YO; 1 Maiden); 5 x 890m (4 Maiden; 1 Open)
Good conditions for a big set at a venue that should be utilised more for trials.
The 2YO numbers in Sydney have been thin through the spring but there was plenty of quantity and quality in the six juvenile heats while the trial form of three Godolphin runners for their new trainer Michael Freedman is first class.
CINSAULT (Michael Freedman): This 4YO mare was a maiden winner in July in her ninth and final start for James Cummings – after eight minor placings! She's ready to resume after two trials for her new stable, showing sharp form to work home over the top of noted trial performer WAY TO THE STARS in a strong open heat over 900m (54.23; 34.29).
KING OF DRAGONS (Gary Portelli): Harry Angel 4YO has one win from seven starts but his trial form has always been good and his impressive win in the fastest 900m heat (53.12; 33.69) has him primed to improve his record this season. He's fast – he led this trial by six lengths and coasted home by almost four – and will be well placed in the right class up to 1200m.
PARADOXIUM (Bjorn Baker): Got the feeling this Extreme Choice colt is going to be a player in some good 2YO races. He's now won two trials since his debut fourth in the Breeders Plate and the style of his 895m heat win (55.21; 35.35) to sit outside the leader and respond like a good horse to run clear at the finish augers well for his future.
The other Michael Freedman-trained Godolphin runners to make a good impression were the easy 890m maiden heat winner MARETH (54.85; 35.01) and MANUKAU, responsible for excellent late work to finish fourth in his open heat over 890m (53.,99; 34.84).
The Waterhouse/Bott team won three of the six 2YO heats with the best of them being a fast 895m heat win by the unraced Russian Revolution filly LUMBINI (54.26; 34.89). It was nice improvement on her first trial and has her ready to go to the races.
Other unraced 2YOs worth noting included FIABA, CAMPIONE D'ITALIA and LORAX.
The 1100m open heats saw strong wins by FEAR NO EVIL (66.52; 34.71) and UNLEESHING (68.34; 34.83) while Magic Millions winner O' OLE came from last with the advantage of a rails run to win the 3YO open heat over 895m (55.04; 34.85).
Numerous maidens took the eye including heat winners SPARKLING FIRE, RASKOL and FIREPOP.
NOTED TRIALS
XX Cinsault; King Of Dragons; Paradoxium
X Campione D'Italia; Fear No Evil; Fiaba; Firepop; Lorax; Lumbina; Manukau; Mareth; Miss Kim Kar; O' Ole; Pretty Powerful; Raskol; Southport; Sparkling Fire; Unbridled Storm; Unleeshing; Useapin; Way To The Stars
Check out the latest Sydney News