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Scholtz's Say

Trial Watch Reviews: 13th January - 15th January 2026

Chris Scholtz reviews Sydney trials at Rosehill on January 13 and Randwick on January 15.

PALLATON
PALLATON Picture: Colin Bull / Sportpix
RANDWICK January 15

Kensington (Good 4) – 3 x 850m (3 Group/Listed)

A Grass (Good 4) – 1 x 1200m (Open); 4 x 1050m (2 Open; 2 Maiden); 6 x 740m (1 Open; 3 2YO; 2 3YO)

An early autumn preview with a galaxy of Group stars starting off their preps in three black type trials on the Kensington.

VIA SISTINA was the headliner in the three trials over 850m but as we subsequently learned her standard trial led to a quick decision on her future with the champion mare now off to stud. All the Chris Waller runners had nothing more than conditioning work with easy trials by AUTUMN GLOW, WODETON, LADY SHENANDOAH; BEIWACHT, LINDERMANN and AELIANA. 

HEAT 1: The slowest of the three heats (52.41; 34.86) with SHANGRI LA BOY leading clearly and maintaining his advantage to the line. The one to impress was APOLCALYPTIC working well within herself to take ground of the winner under no pressure. SIR DELIUS was pushed along to make ground from last and was extending nicely through the line to finish fourth in a hitout he obviously needed. AUTUMN GLOW (5th) tracked wide and had an easy time with WODETON (6th) both hard held to the line.

HEAT 2: Michael Freedman supplied the trifecta in the fastest of the three heats (51.18; 34.02) with ENRICHED – having a fitness edge in his second trial after a noted fresh trial win - getting the better of a quietly ridden MANAAL on the line after the latter had led comfortably. The classy 2YO INCOGNITO again impressed in his second trial with strong work to finish third against the older horses. LADY SHENANDOAH (4th) and BEIWACHT (5th) had plenty in reserve tucked in behind them.

HEAT 3: A Michael Freedman quinella with PALLATON visually the most impressive of the three winners (51.50; 34.20) as he cruised away for an easy win by 2.5 lengths over stablemate INSURRECTION. NAPOLEONIC impressed with a strong third and MARHOONA (4th) had plenty to offer through the line.LINDERMANN and AELIANA went through the motions behind them.

The heats on the Randwick A Grass were also full of quality with numerous trials making an impression.

EVICTION NOTICE (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott): Beaten narrowly by the smart HALF PIPE in his 2YO heat over 740m (45.30; 34.59) but was under an iron grip from start to finish from Adam Hyeronimus and could have won the trial if asked for a serious effort. Travelled three deep outside the lead with the winner driving through underneath him to grab the win by a narrow margin. Started favourite in the Breeders Plate and should have a lot to offer when he reappears.

BRYANT (Ron Quinton): First trial since June by this maiden 3YO gelding by Brutal. Settled at the rear in his 1050m heat (64.09; 34.96) before making his run four wide from the 600m under a quiet ride and had plenty in reserve when he joined the leaders in the straight. Went home easily to beat the previously noted FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (another strong trial) in a maiden heat where the form can be trusted.

POLYGLOT (Michael Freedman): Smart Godolphin 4YO is set to perform well fresh after a strong win in his 740m heat (44.93; 34.22) in his first trial since November. Travelled easily and joined in with plenty to offer at the 200m, going to the line under an easy ride in a trial where the strong third by the talented MERIDIANA adds merit to the form.

SIGNOR TORTONI disappointed when resuming but deserves another chance after posting the fastest 1050m heat win (62.95; 33.84) by an easy four lengths.

The 2YO heats over 740m had some depth with the winning efforts by COCO AFFAIR (45.14; 34.44) and BETTER BY FAR (44.35; 34.15) in the fastest of the six heats over the distance stamping them as youngsters with good prospects.

The 1200m open heat created interest as it saw the ex William Haggas import SAM HAWKENS win the trial (74.73; 35.34) in his first appearance for the O'Shea/Charlton stable. The winner of four races in the UK up to 2800m had the one spring start for Haggas in the ATC St Leger at Randwick in October and is a stayer to keep a close watch on through the autumn.  

NOTED TRIALS

XX Eviction Notice; Bryant; Pallaton; Polyglot

X Apocalyptic; Beiwacht; Better By Far; Celestial Charm; Charka; Coco Affair; Fairway To Heaven; Fire Star; Give Her Strength; Half Pipe; Incognito; Meridiana; Miss Fleetwood; Napoleonic; Ness; Oh Yes She Did; Sam Hawkins; Signor Tortoni; Transgress; Written In Wrath . 

MAL COUPE
MAL COUPE Picture: Bradley Photos
ROSEHILL January 13

Inside Grass; Soft 5

13 Heats – 4 x 1030m (2 Open; 1 C1/Maiden; 1 2YO); 9 x 900m (3 Open; 2 2YO; 4 Maiden)

CAESAR (Peter Snowden): Capitalist gelding posted a win and two placings from his first three starts last year. He's ready to build on his early promise after a classy win in his 900m heat (54.22; 34.32), cruising past the leaders from four lengths off the lead at the 400m for the softest of wins with plenty in reserve.

CONCORDIA WIND (Chris Waller): Her big baldy face stood out in the fastest 1030m heat (61.60; 34.79) with impressive work over the last 200m. She was ridden with no urgency from the start, sitting six lengths off the lead before working into it from the turn under a quiet ride from James McDonald. She surged between runners over the last 50 metres to finish a close second to the regular trial winner WAY TO THE STARS.

JOURNEYMAN (Richard & Will Freedman): They have given this 3YO by The Autumn Sun plenty of time and education with four trials that ensure he is well prepared for his debut. He's made an impression winning his last two trials over 900m at Rosehill, again showing plenty of strength to win this heat (54.73; 34.27) in the style of a horse already looking for more ground.

The two 2YO heats over 900m were won in efficient style by CHILLY GIRL (55.28; 34.92) and HOME AND DRY (55.83; 35.04) but it was efforts behind them that took eye. They included EXCEDENCIA and the promising filly MISS SCANDAL who confirmed the talent she displayed in her first trial with another notable placing.

MAL COUPE, a star last winter when he won four races on soft and heavy tracks, made a strong return in his first trial since August winning his 900m heat (54.78; 34.59) with authority after sitting three deep outside the lead. CELUI was another open heat winner showing good form to win the fastest 900m trial (53.73; 34.25) where the stayers TRINITY COLLEGE and MANAAJEM were doing their best work through the line.

Previously noted pair ZING TO ME and PLUME were again among the maidens taking the eye. HARRY'S EVIDENCE, RACH, SAINT ALDWYN and TULOU also performed with merit.

NOTED TRIALS

XX Caesar; Concordia Wind; Journeyman

X Celui; Chilly Girl; Diddle Dumpling; Excedencia; Harry's Evidence; Home And Dry; Mal Coupe; Manaajem; Miss Scandal; Plume; Rach; Red Sentinel; Saint Aldwyn; Tulou; Way To The Stars; Zing To Me

 


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