It is set to be an exciting morning of barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Friday with a number of potential 2013 Spring Racing Carnival stars expected to contest the first barrier trial of the day.
Shoot Out will face stablemates Royal Descent and Sacred Falls in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Friday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rebel Dane, Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and Shoot Out have all been entered for the opening barrier trial over 800 metres as the preparations for spring begin to ramp up.
Rebel Dane stamped himself as a Group 1 contender during an impressive 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival campaign that was highlighted by a strong victory in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) and a narrow second place finish to Pierro in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
Trainer Gary Portelli has not outlined a particular spring carnival agenda for the California Dane colt but said last week that the rising four-year-old will be restricted to sprint races and is due to resume in the Group 3 Show Country Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm on August 24.
Record-breaking Sydney trainer Chris Waller will have plenty of horses to watch in the barrier trials on Friday with three of his Group 1 winners due to compete early in the morning.
Talented stayer Royal Descent will be making her first public appearance since her ten length romp in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice was expected to be set for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) but connections are toying with the idea of targeting her at the weight-for-age Cox Plate (2040m) instead.
Royal Descent will be joined in Friday’s trial by stablemate Sacred Falls who is also likely to head towards the Cox Plate.
Sacred Falls was brought to Australia after winning six consecutive races in New Zealand and finished her autumn campaign with a surprise victory over Pierro in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m).
Five-time Group 1 winner Shoot Out will face Royal Descent and Sacred Falls in the barrier trial on Friday but is not expected to join them on a Cox Plate path with Waller indicating a fortnight ago that defending his George Main Stakes (1600m) title would be the main spring goal for the High Chaparral gelding.
Butt I’m Ready, Dee’N’Gee, Lunayir, Polish Knight, Title and Velrosso have also been entered for the trial.
