What does one read into a barrier trial? That’s what many will be asking after the first trial took place at Greyville yesterday.
The answer may be quite a lot although opinion is divided as to what value these trials will add to the overall scheme of things.
The over-riding idea behind the trials being that punters are given some idea as to the inherent ability of first time runners and some indication of the fitness of horses that have been off the track for 120 days or more. The nay-sayers believe it will be a wasted exercise in time and money.
Cutting Edge (Candiese Marnewick)
Those in favour, and Paul Gadsby is one, feel that they should at least be given a chance and in agreement with trainers who of the opinion that the trials will provide valuable experience for first-time runners. Time will tell but Ashburton-based Gadsby was happy with the performance of his trialist, Sheik’s Storm. She was all over the course for much of the trial but when the penny dropped she run on nicely.
All runners need a 60-day pass at the starting stalls, first timers or not, and the trials are perfect as Gadsby pointed out. “I will use them as a 60-day pass and what better way. My filly had not seen the track, you now we don’t have a poly track at Ashburton, but what better way with a few horses around her. I don’t say she’s a good thing next time out but it helps that she’s seen the track.”
The Gadsby runner Diamonds Forever had seen the poly track on more than one occasion but the addition of blinkers to her racing equipment seemed to do the trick as Billy Jacobson produced his only ride on the card with a perfectly timed run to see off a late-closing Rani.
Monks Hood may not have landed the odds when he started in the Itsarush.co.za Pinnacles Stakes but showed enough to suggest that he will be cherry-ripe for the Gr2 Investec Dingaans to be run at Turffontein at the end of the month. His is a smart horse and Alistair Gordon will make the trip to the Highveld not without hope.
Over a distance way short of his best. He did not get the best of passages as Anthony Depech hunted for daylight, but he was doing his best work late as Cutting Edge scythed through the opposition to win rather comfortably.
Kingston Boy, a soldier for Doug Campbell and his owners and over his best course and distance, earned another cheque for his owners, his 29th in 52 starts.
By Andrew Harrison
