Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott again stamped their authority on Sydney’s first official two-year-old trials, collecting six winners from Monday’s session at Randwick’s Kensington track.
The Tulloch Lodge stable was responsible for four of the five colts-and-geldings heats, as well as two of the fillies’ divisions, with both the fastest times of each category coming from their juveniles.
Too Darn Hot filly Shiki was the standout, recording the morning’s quickest time of 49.46secs when defeating Bjorn Baker’s Better Off Alone in the last fillies’ trial. A $420,000 Magic Millions purchase, she displayed maturity beyond her experience.
“She’s always had that natural brilliance, but today she really kept her composure,” Bott said. “That was a positive step forward and there’s still more improvement to come.”
Shiki, along with other trial stars, will be aimed at the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on October 4.
Home Invasion, a $220,000 yearling by Home Affairs, took out the opening fillies’ trial in 50.63secs, while the sire also produced I’m Ya Huckleberry, who won in 49.54secs. Fellow stablemate Eviction Notice went even quicker at 49.53secs, scoring by an emphatic 7-3/4 lengths.
“They’re both very natural, straightforward colts and we were pleased with how they coped with the added pressure today,” Bott said. “It’s exciting to see them come through in good style.”
Knightsbridge, a $750,000 Farnan colt, also impressed in a narrow win, while Hellbent colt Revengeance rounded out a dominant day for the stable with a tough victory.
Mitchell and Desiree Kearney struck with Yes Yes Yes filly Oh Yes She Did and I Am Invincible colt Iambubb, both sourced from the Inglis Classic Sale, while Bjorn Baker closed out proceedings with Zoustar filly Masvingo, a $580,000 Magic Millions yearling who had plenty in hand.
The strong set of performances again highlights Tulloch Lodge’s stranglehold on Sydney’s early juvenile scene, a trend likely to continue heading into the key Group 3 juvenile features. For punters eyeing the Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, the best markets can be found via leading betting sites.