Stars To Trial At Randwick on Friday Morning

There will be yet another morning of cannot miss barrier trials at Royal Randwick on Friday with a number of Group 1 level performers set to take part.

Norzita is one of several Group 1 winners that will trial at Randwick on Friday morning. Photo by: Steve Hart

Gai Waterhouse has wasted no time getting her talented group of stayers ready for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and her quartet of Caulfield Cup (2400m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopefuls will contest the opening barrier trial of the day.

Carlton House, Fiorente, Glencadam Gold, Julienas, Michelangelo, Our Desert Warrior and Western Symbol from the Waterhouse stable are all set to take on John Thompson-trained Strength on the Randwick course proper over 1400 metres.

Fiorente bested Carlton House, Glencadam Gold and Michelangelo in a barrier trial at Randwick a fortnight ago and looked impressive working alongside Carlton House after race 1 in Sydney on Saturday.

Waterhouse also has a strong group of horses nominated for the second trial of the day over 1000 metres, highlighted by Sweet Idea and Ashokan, but it will be veteran sprinter Hay List who attracts all the attention as he works towards a return to the races for the first time since finishing tenth behind Black Caviar in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) in April.

Hay List finished second behind Knight Exemplar in a barrier trial a fortnight ago but did enough to suggest to trainer John McNair that he is close to his best form and ready to resume in the Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 10.

The third barrier trial of the day, over 800 metres, is headlined by triple Group 1 winner Appearance who has been set to defend her Myer Classic (1600m) title during the 2013 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Exciting colt Drago is also likely to contest this trial, as is Metal Bender who has not appeared at the races since winning the 2012 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) more than a year ago.

Bart Cummings-trained stars Eurozone and Norzita as well as perennial Group 1 bridesmaid Rain Affair and Darley colt Sidestep will have a pre-spring hit out over 800 metres.

Eurozone is undefeated after two race starts against two-year-olds and is nominated for the Golden Rose while the Cummings stable has been very quiet about their spring plans for Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) winner Norzita.

The opening barrier trial is scheduled to jump at 8.15am (AEST).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.