Melbourne Cup aspirant Fiorente has impressed with a slashing barrier trial victory over 1400 metres at Royal Randwick this morning.

Fiorente did his 2013 Melbourne Cup chances no harm with an impressive barrier trial victory at Randwick this morning. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up was listed to compete in the third trial of the day, over 1200 metres, but instead appeared in the opener where he faced stablemates and fellow Spring Racing Carnival contenders Glencadam Gold, Carlton House and Michelangelo.

Fiorente was ridden very quietly at the tail of the field for the majority of the trial but was taken to the outside in the straight by jockey Nash Rawiller and easily raced past the rest of the field, despite only being ridden hands and heels, to score a most impressive victory.

Carlton House was the leader for most of the race and finished second while Glencadam Gold made up ground late to finish third.

Imported stayer Michelangelo did not offer much and finished the trial at the tail of the field.

Fiorente has been set for a Melbourne Cup campaign and will aim to become the first horse since Empire Rose in 1988 to win the Melbourne Cup after finishing second the year before.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse has not outlined the exact 2013 Spring Racing Carnival plans for the Monsun gelding but starts in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Cox Plate (2040m) are also on the cards.

The second trial of the day also featured a big name with champion sprinter Hay List competing over 800 metres.

Hay List was ridden just off the leader Knight Exemplar but was unable to go past the Exceed and Excel colt when asked for an extra effort by jockey Glyn Schofield in the final stages of the trial.

Hay List has not appeared at the races since finishing tenth behind his great rival Black Caviar in the Group 1 T.J. Smith (1200m) at Randwick in April.