The Randwick polytrack hosted 15 trials on Monday morning after rain forced the trials off the turf.
There was a strong mix of emerging horses and potential Queensland campaigners throughout the day.
Zaaki was the headline horse of the card as the star gelding looks to reinvigorate his career after a very poor trial in February.
The Annabel Neasham-trained galloper worked through the line well under regular rider James McDonald ahead of another likely Queensland campaign.
Heat 2 – Gundy Bridge.
Although most eyes were on Zaaki and how the star galloper would return, it was Gundy Bridge who once again caught the eye. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained five-year-old is still very lightly raced. He has won three of five career starts and stamped himself as a potential Group horse when bolting in by 4.5-lengths at Warwick Farm in December. He has a strong front-running style and looks a great lightweight chance for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Zaaki was good working through the line into fourth. There still maintains a big question on how he will return.
Heat 3 – Air To Air.
Air To Air was a recent acquisition to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and made the most of her stable debut, winning first-up at Randwick Kensington last month. She has shown bad barrier manners in her career, often missing the start and ending up last. There was no such barrier issues last month as she showed much better early speed to land closer over 1100m. Air To Air worked through her gears strongly again and cruised through the line to win her 1080m heat.
Heat 4 – Jacquinot.
Probably the most important heat of the day. Star three-year-old Jacquinot stepped out at Randwick for a tick-over trial ahead of the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes next weekend. The Victorian colt travelled comfortably on the polytrack to run second behind Sports Legend. Sports Legend has been scratched on multiple occasions since his maiden win in favour of dry ground. Tycoon Evie and Gravina both trialled well.
Heat 8 – The Englishman.
This horse has been an extremely frustrating commodity for his fans. His talent is there for all too see, but continues to chew up punters cash as he narrowly misses. He is a lovely stayer in the making and will be breaking his maiden very soon. Monday’s 1080m trial saw the Peter and Paull Snowden-trained three-year-old cruised through his gears and looks set for a likely winter campaign.
Heat 17 – Black Iris.
Speaking of bookie’s pals, Black Iris is one. The Godolphin filly has been beaten as favourite in all three career starts, starting between $2 and $3 every time. She returned to the trials at Hawkesbury last month and cruised through the line under a hold. It was a nice indication the daughter of Exosphere had returned stronger as a three-year-old and her work on Monday confirmed it. Black Iris trucked under a hold to beat the very fast Red Card in a 780m heat.
