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Randwick Trials (29/12) Review
By Ray Hickson

We’ll definitely want to see him again but import George Patton oozed quality in his first Australian hitout at Randwick on Friday.

The five-year-old American bred, former French entire is now with the Snowden stable and hasn’t raced for 18 months due to originally being secured to race in Hong Kong.

But what the grey showed in his 1045m heat, when a closing second to race fit Egyptian Symbol, doesn’t look like a horse out of practice.

George Patton had five starts in France and his only unplaced effort was a fourth in a Group 1 mile race at Deauville in May 2016.

In the trial he sat three wide for the majority and was allowed to balance up before hitting the line with plenty of purpose under what looked a good hold. You’d expect he’ll trial again so keep an eye out.

Watch the grey George Patton finish strongly in his trial at Randwick

I’d almost go as far as to say the Snowden import upstaged a dominant four length win by Global Glamour in the following heat though the times might tell you otherwise.

The dual Group 1 winner was having a much more serious hitout as her final lead up to the Magic Millions meeting so it was no surprise she clocked 1.2 seconds faster.

Rachel King had the mare outside the leader on a strong pace and she swept by at the 200m and raced away.

Almost six lengths astern was promising stablemate Siege Of Quebec in his first public trial since finishing second to Menari in the Rosebud in August.

No knock on him, he worked home well, and he’ll probably have another trial so we’ll judge him on that.

Parisians certainly didn’t trial like a horse that went around $61 on debut and was beaten six lengths at the provincials a month ago.

Raced three wide with cover then you had to like the way he attacked the line to just miss. Wouldn’t surprise to see sharp improvement.

To the 735m trials, which always have to be assessed with a degree of caution, and Gary Portelli produced a pair of youngsters to score almost identical wins in successive trials run in similar time.

Exceltic had the experience of a September trial but has been given more time. In his heat he turned fifth on the fence then had to come across four horses to get to the outside.

Once there he was asked to chase and sprinted very quickly to pick up the leader De Valera, on his first trial, looking smart.

Then a matter of minutes later Patron Black, in his first appearance, was also held up to past the 200m then came to the outside and was sharp late to arrive in time.

Also having her first trial was Gentle Persuasion for Mark Newnham and she was a clear last on the bend and held up, came widest and made up about six lengths to run fourth.

And, finally, Moss Trip looks to have come back in good shape judging by her fast closing second.

Check out the results and replays from Friday's Royal Randwick barrier trials.