Barrier Trial Greyville poly 1000m 28/03/2018 (open)

1^st BILLY SILVER (Arries/Bosch 3yoc 59kgs) – Smart colt. Reportedly doing well at home since returning from the Cape. Did all that he was asked to do, showing good pace throughout, and should be very competitive when resuming his “formal” racing career. 60,32s.

2^nd 2,75 lengths MY PAL AL (Murray/Gordon 4yog 60kgs) – Returning from ground-breaking back surgery. Understandably carrying a bit of condition and in definite need of this gallop. Good early pace and stayed on under the hands to finish a clear second. 60,78s.

3^rd 3,75 lengths TRULY WICKED (Randolph/Forbes 2yog 57kgs) – Laid back in the parade ring but has a nice big action. Made steady headway through the field from near the rear and looks to have scope. May need further to be most effective. 61,02s.

4^th 4,25 lengths EDGE OF THE SUN (Marcus/Howells 3yog 59kgs) – Coming back from a virus. Held up early but ran on well under the hands. Would have needed this outing and further improvement seems a possibility. 61,11s 

5^th 4,50 lengths A-ROD (Ferraris/Howells 4yof 59kgs) – Rested for 178 days and changed stables in the interim. Raced awkwardly in the early stages but settled well in the straight and stayed on one-paced. Well exposed 1-time winner. 61.16s.

6^th 4,60 lengths LINE OF CONTROL (Wright/Nel 3yog 59kgs) – Showed good pace from the jump, settling just in behind the leaders. Has a nice big action and could need further to make an impression, after two moderate 1200m sprints in the Cape. 61,18s.

7^th 5,85 lengths HOLY LAND (De Gouveia/Drier 2yoc 57kgs) – Nice type but very coltish in the parade. Outpaced and at the rear from the jump but, given his pedigree, should be most effective over more ground. Certainly not a bad trial under an easy ride. 61,42s.

8^th 5,90 lengths RUNAWAY GAL (Jacobson/Crawford 2yof 56kgs) – Medium sized Captain Al filly, who is a three parts sister to Captain America. Hesitant start but improved to race midfield at the rail. No impression in the straight and passed by a few. 61,42s.

9^th 8,40 lengths CHANTYMAN (Wrogemann/Bosch 3yoc 59kgs) – Side-lined with wind problems. Went down short and appeared to be not striding out fully in the race. Seems to have issues and may struggle to realise his early potential. 61,90s

10^th 13,65 lengths CUMBERBATCH (Pagel/Van Wyk 3yoc 59kgs) – Unraced three year old. Slow start and very green. Moved up wide halfway but failed to run on despite being shaken up quite vigorously. Will need big improvement from this showing. 62,94s.

By Graeme Hawkins