Group 1 winners Boban, Foreteller, Hawkspur and Sacred Falls finished behind Angel Bee in the opening barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Sacred Falls was one of several Chris Waller-trained gallopers that was given a quiet trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning. Photo by: Steve Hart
The Chris Waller-trained foursome were all given a very easy time of it in the barrier trial over 900 metres and were not asked for an extra effort in the final stages, but Hawkspur and Sacred Falls were still able to make up some ground late.
Team Hawkes-trained Angel Bee jumped from the gates well and took up the running in the early stages of the trial before being challenged by Waller-trained Kencella coming around the final turn.
Kencella looked as though he was going to run past Angel Bee in the final stages of the trial, but the Pins mare was able to hold on and take out the trial in an impressive performance.
Angel Bee made her debut at Group level during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, finishing eighth in the Group 3 Roy Higgins Tribute (1200m) at Royal Randwick on March 15 and sixth in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 29, and will likely be set for the mares races during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Kencella joined the Waller stable after previously being prepared by John O’Shea and looks set to return for an early spring campaign in Sydney.
The Exceed And Excel gelding made his Group 1 debut in The Galaxy (1100m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival after stamping himself as a sprinter to watch with a win in the Group 3 McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.
Team Hawkes-trained Messene was kept under a heavy hold during the trial, but was able to work home strongly to finish third behind his stablemate.
Messene has not been seen at the races since he was beaten as favourite in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on an unsuitable track and according to co-trainer Michael Hawkes has been set for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) during his spring campaign.
Progressive stayer Entirely Platinum was another horse that made up good ground late in the final stages of the trial and the Pentire gelding will likely have another trial start before he starts his spring preparation that will be centered around gaining entry into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Sacred Falls, Boban and Hawkspur are all a chance of contesting the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 or they could start their spring campaigns in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) a week earlier.
