The 2014 Spring Racing Carnival is just around the corner and a number of the leading contenders for all the feature events are set to contest barrier trials at Royal Randwick on Friday.
2014 Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer is one of several Group 1 contenders that are set to trial at Royal Randwick on Friday. Photo by: Steve Hart
2014 Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer worked home strongly in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on July 18 and is set to contest the opening barrier trial over 1250 metres at the same venue on Friday morning.
The Offer will be joined in the opening barrier trial by a host of stablemates including fellow Melbourne Cup contender Tres Blue, Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Diamond Drille and imported English galloper Greatwood.
Chris Waller-trained Foreteller is also set to contest the opening barrier trial of the morning and Patinack Farm-owned Hooked will be making his first public appearance since his consistent 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
The second barrier trial of the morning will be run over 850 meters and will feature another of progressive gallopers that could be in store for a big 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Beaten Caulfield Cup favourite Hawkspur is the only horse in the trial that has previously won at Group 1 level, but Gallatin, Monton, Ryker, Scandiva, Terravista, Tupac Amaru and Weary have all shown that they are capable of competing at the highest level of racing.
Imported stayer Our Voodoo Prince has not suffered a defeat in three starts since making his Australian racing debut and he is set to begin his Caulfield Cup campaign in a barrier trial over 850 metres at Royal Randwick on Friday.
He will be joined in the trial by stablemate Boban and will also face Queen Of The Turf runner-up Gypsy Diamond, progressive filly Role Model, Challenge Stakes winner Villa Verde and lightly-raced Darley colt Sarajevo.
The fourth trial over 850 metres is the final event for horses that have previously performed at Group and Listed level and will feature a couple of rising three-year-olds, in the form of Memorial and Valentia, taking on the older horses.
Consistent sprinter Bennetta was given a short break after finishing second behind Generalife in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) and is down to trial, while Tiger Tees will be returning to Royal Randwick after finishing third in a barrier trial over 733 metres on July 18.
Royal Randwick Guineas winner Dissident has already contested a barrier trial in Brisbane and has been included in the entries for the eight event over 1050 metres, while the well-bred Woodbine will be making his first public appearance since he finished sixth in the Inglis Guineas (1400m) at Scone on May 17.
