Races

The Trial Report – Belmont Feb 5

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

HEAT 1 – 2yo 400m

Story Book, a half-sister to the talented Brooklyn Pier, caught the eye when she was able to gun down Passion For War, who jumped quickly and had the benefit of the rail to guide her. The margin was just under half a length, but the Trevor Andrews-trained filly did her best work late. Winning Aces wasn’t asked to do much in the trial, but closed nicely to grab third, just ahead of Quillow.

HEAT 2 – 2yo 1000m

King’s Troop filly Queen’s Gift sat third for the most part in this trial before being taken back to the inside by Jade McNaught and nabbing He’s Gold in the shadows of the post. It was her third hit-out this time in for Fred Kersley and will be firm in the market on debut. The time of 59.29sec. was encouraging, as was the fact she was able to beat Liwa, who ran third and has the benefit of race experience.

HEAT 3 – 3yo and up 1000m

This heat was all about Celebrity Queen and she didn’t disappoint. The Winterbottom Stakes runner-up was afforded an economical run by Chris Parnham and she stretched out nicely over the concluding stages to get past Great Charade by half a length in 59.46sec. Molten grabbed third in an encouraging performance.

HEAT 4 – 3yo and up 1000m

Amasenus is only a C1 mare, but it would be a shock if she doesn’t progress through her grades. She had the drop on her rivals in this heat and while Natasha Faithfull doesn’t weigh a great deal, the four-year-old quickened brilliantly and went past high-class Group performer Perfect Jewel effortlessly. Perfect Jewel was still very good in running second, with the time of 58.14sec., backing up the eye.

HEAT 5 – 3yo 1000m maiden

Vadette De Star ran second in this heat behind Saint Clements, but her display was the better of the two stablemates. The pair, trained by Simon Miller, clearly have ability, with Saint Clements racing outside the speed in her first trial back after two unplaced runs last year. Vadette De Star, a daughter of Zoustar, was denied a run in the straight and had to be switched off heels to get into the open where she powered to the line.

HEAT 6 – 3yo 1000m maiden

War Chant colt Comanche Chant was tough enough late to record a handy victory here, just under a length from Flying Arabian, who was at the races on a weekend at Ascot late last month. Hell’s Belle had absolutely no luck behind the leaders in the straight and went to the line under a hold. Her sixth placing should be forgotten. Watch out for her when she gets back to the races.

HEAT 7 – 2yo 400m

Stablemates Tiny ‘N’ Tuff (Bradbury’s Luck) and Rose’s Jester (Maschino) ran 1-2 here for Dion Luciani in 24.95sec. Tiny ‘N’ Tuff went to the races back in October, while Rose’s Jester has yet to debut.

HEAT 8 – 3yo 400m

Charleton Eddie didn’t win in three starts last campaign, but was far from disgraced. His most recent effort was a runner-up finish behind Chantorque in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m). Therefore it was no surprise to see him cruise to a dominant 7.5-length win over Iranaway in this two-horse heat.

HEAT 9 – 2yo 1000m

Sizzling juvenile He’s A Sizzler enjoyed a nice run and levelled out strongly over the final 200m to collar stablemate Featherweight in the shadows of the post. The time of 60.56sec. wasn’t the quickest of the day, but it must be noted that the Dan Morton-prepared duo, who are yet to make their debuts, cleared out from their opposition.

HEAT 10 – 2yo 1000m

Snippetson colt Star Soprano created an impression when successful in his maiden 400m trial last month and was again impressive today. The Martin Allan-trained youngster flew the machines and gave nothing else a chance en route to a dominant win by more than four lengths in 58.73sec. Dan Morton’s La Galexia was OK in running second, as was Lindram Walter (3rd), while the effort of fifth-placed Warpipes had some merit.

HEAT 11 – 3yo 1000m

Pablo’s Poem sat second last in this trial and was allowed to slide around his rivals turning for home. He was then able to sustain that sprint and win by 5.5 lengths in 58.70sec. The gelding, prepared by Sean and Jake Casey, has not won since September 2018 and was having his first hit-out since finishing 14th of 16 in October last year. Neat Action did his best to finish second, albeit he was no match for the winner.

HEAT 12 – 3yo 1000m maiden

Justine Erkelens has adopted a patient approach with Pouakai and that approach looks like being rewarded in spades. The daughter of Demerit breezed outside Amber’s Chant and took over soon after they wheeled for home. Shaun O’Donnell will be keen to stick with her when she makes her maiden start. Ambers Chant improved on her previous trial a fortnight earlier, while Tumivet made good ground to snare third spot.

HEAT 13 – 3yo 1000m maiden

He’s On Fire led throughout to win this heat for Ryan Hill and Sean and Jake Casey. The son of Magnus was having his second trial this time in and it is his first campaign since he stepped out in trials in the autumn of 2019. The time of 60.23sec., was fair. Now a five-year-old, he looks like he will measure up on debut. Competitor (2nd) and Jono (3rd) went across the line together, half a length behind He’s On Fire.

HEAT 14 – 2yo and up 1200m

Yeah Dardy was taken to the top soon after the barriers opened by Shaun O’Donnell and while he had Brother’s Keeper for company for a fair chunk of this heat, he was nice and strong in the concluding stages to prevail by nearly two lengths. That he was able to win in the manner he did was no shock given he recorded back-to-back Listed placings last year in the Farnley Stakes and Hannan’s Handicap.

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