Himalaya Dream upstaged a host of Group 1 winners to take out a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Himalaya Dream beat the likes of Temple Of Boom, Messene, Royal Descent, Junoob, Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal in a barrier trial this morning. Photo by: Steve Hart
Himalaya Dream contested the third barrier trial of the morning over 900 metres and he was settled just behind Temple Of Boom in the early stages of the trial before he worked home strongly while still under a heavy hold to claim a narrow victory.
The imported galloper was having his first race start since he walked across the line after being well-backed in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and he looks like he is close to a racing return.
Temple Of Boom was taken straight to the lead in the early stages of the barrier trial and he responded fairly when asked for an extra effort, but he was unable to fight off Himalaya Dream.
The evergreen sprinter was sent to the spelling paddock following his credible fourth place finish in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6, but he is now back in work for another Spring Racing Carnival preparation.
One of the most interesting runners in the third barrier trial of the morning was Team Hawkes-trained Messene, who worked home strongly without being asked for an extra effort.
There was a great deal expected of Messene heading into the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and he started his campaign with a close second behind Sweet Idea in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 9, but he was sent to the spelling paddock after he finished ninth in both the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 and the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller was well represented in the barrier trial and the likes of imported galloper Junoob, Melbourne Cup placegetter Who Shot Thebarman and Sydney Cup winner Grand Marshal were all given a very quiet barrier trial.
The most impressive of the Waller-trained gallopers was consistent mare Royal Descent, who hit the line strongly in the final stages under a very heavy hold.
Royal Descent was unable to record a race win during her autumn campaign, but she produced a typically consistent campaign that was highlighted by third place finishes in both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 6 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the same venue a week later.
