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Randwick Trials (29/1) Review
By Ray Hickson

Pick any superlative you like, Russian Revolution has to be a force to be reckoned with during the autumn carnival.

That’s the only conclusion that can be made from his stunning six length trial win at Royal Randwick on Monday in his first appearance of 2018.

It’s never wise to get too carried away with barrier trials but I don’t recall him trialling with such sheer speed in the past.

He broke quickly in the 900m heat on the course proper and led easily, by the turn he was some five in front and he showed no signs of stopping, if anything he looked stronger, on the line.

Traditionally the four-year-old trials twice before starting a prep so if that’s the case there’ll be plenty of interest in what he does next.

Russian Revolution's very easy barrier trial win at Royal Randwick on Monday

Thought there was merit in the mare Dixie Blossoms in running second, she always travelled easily and while she didn’t eat into the margin at any stage she was edging away from the rest.

The Peter and Paul Snowden stable had plenty of firepower to unleash at the Randwick trials and Gimcrack Stakes winner Satin Slipper did it easily to win her 1050m heat.

She led all the way in what was her second trial and is sure to be a force in the coming weeks. Fifth placed Stratosphere was given an even easier hitout than his stablemate as he is nominated for the Canonbury on Saturday.

Khan has been real problem child for the Snowdens since his debut win in the 2016 Breeders’ Plate and he’s back again as a gelding and perhaps that was what he needed.

Still, he’ll have to show it on race day. In his 745m heat he was held together all the way to the line in running second with race fit filly From Within always on his hammer.

Of the other Snowden gallopers to trial Signore Fox, Assimilate and Neutrality all pleased.

Godolphin hasn’t really been a two-year-old force yet this season aside from a couple of notable youngsters but Wagner showed plenty of talent in his first public trial.

The Bernardini colt sat handy before hitting the lead 200m or so out then he rocketed away looking pretty handy. Obviously it was only a short trial so we’ll need to see him again but it was an excellent first impression.

John Thompson’s filly Into The Abyss is nominated for the Widden Stakes on Saturday and there was plenty to like about her warm up in her 745m heat.

Santos has now won two trials leading into this campaign and he did a particularly good job sitting right off the track throughout before responding to some niggles and sailing down the outside. He needs a kill on race day but he’s heading the right way.

A few others to note are Southern Lad, Zenardini and Sneaking To Win.

Catch up on the results and replays from Monday's barrier trials at Royal Randwick