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Warwick Farm (19/12) Trials Review

By Ray Hickson

It probably wasn’t exactly the experience trainer Gary Portelli wanted for Secret Lady but the talented filly walked away from Warwick Farm on Tuesday an impressive trial winner.

The plan was for the two-year-old to be toughened up a bit by not taking up the running against older horses but in the 792m heat her natural brilliance shone through and she kicked up to hold the lead.

Once in front jockey Ben Melham had a cuddle job on the last start Golden Gift winner and she held a noted strong trialler in Goldfinch with a decent gap to the rest and ran the fastest time of the morning.

Secret Lady is likely to appear in an 1100m two-year-old at Randwick on December 30 before heading north for the Magic Millions.

Watch Secret Lady win her barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday

Dual Group 1 winner Global Glamour has freshened up well since her spring carnival down south and while she ran a second slower than the filly she’ll head to the Gold Coast as a force to be reckoned with.

She wasn’t the best out but quickly put herself outside the leader My Maher and just outpointed that mare late.

It has to be said, though, that My Maher trialled very well.

She’s won four from five and went down narrowly in her only defeat. That was her second trial so expect Matt Smith to produce her around the New Year period and she’ll be hard to beat.

Clarry Conners is no stranger to a handy two-year-old and Our Dawn looked to have some ability in winning her heat, though two seconds slower than Secret Lady.

She trialled at Canterbury back in September but obviously needed a bit more time. After being slowly away she worked through the field and took an inside run on the turn before finishing off strongly for a very nice win.

Joe Pride doesn’t produce a lot of early youngsters so the fact Bad Boy For Love is up and about is a sign that he’s showing a bit of talent.

He was run down in the shadows of his heat but did show good speed, travelled nicely on the turn and wasn’t pushed out as he was challenged.

Star Of The Seas, the half-brother to Spieth, was spotted going about his business quietly in running fifth late in the morning session.

Placed in both starts in his first campaign, this trial was a big improvement on his first this prep and it wouldn’t surprise if he knocks off a provincial maiden when he resumes.

Flying could be an improver this time around on her two unplaced efforts back in September.

The Godolphin filly was quietly ridden early then made good ground to be on the heels of the quinella at the finish of her heat run just 0.07 seconds slower than Secret Lady’s benchmark.

From Gosford on Tuesday it’s worth noting the trial wins of Legislation and Lilith.

Legislation was stepping out for the first time since winning at Randwick on debut in October and he looked the goods as you’d expect as he heads towards the Magic Millions.

Lilith beat Legislation’s stablemate Bondi in her first trial at Wyong and backed that up with a nice effort with a bit in hand, in slightly slower time for the 800m than the colt.

Check out the results and replays from Tuesday’s barrier trials at Warwick Farm