Two-time Newmarket Handicap winner I’m Wesley headlined a busy day of trials at Longford on Tuesday, with 12 trials run in blustery conditions.
I’m Wesley (Daniel Ganderton) wins Trial 7 at Longford on Tuesday
I’m Wesley
Winner of the last two Newmarket instalments, I’m Wesley stepped out in the seventh trial of the day and while the overall time for 700m of 40.91s wasn’t flattering (fourth fastest of the day), trainer Glenn Stevenson seemed pleased with the effort.
“Daniel (Ganderton) kept him held together until they straightened up, and when he asked him to go, he seemed to let down good. Hopefully, he pulls up well in the wind and we won’t have to have another trial and will go straight into the Newmarket,” Stevenson remarked.
Now a 7YO, the case could be made that I’m Wesley’s best racing is behind him, but aiming for his third Newmarket, Stevenson believes he is right on track.
“I couldn’t be happier where he is, and I think he is right on the mark to be hard to beat again,” said Stevenson.
After carrying 59kg to win the race in 2018, the prospect of strong acceptances including 2016 winner Tshahitsi and Scott Brunton’s champion Hellova Street, means I’m Wesley will likely carry less weight than last year.
“You go in there better weighted; he grows a leg at Launceston and if you can draw that gate you are halfway home,” stated Stevenson.
Top trials
The fastest trial of the session went to the Monica Ryan trained Just Jay Jay in trial eight, with a time of 40.56s. Having raced exclusively at Devonport in her four-race career, the 5YO mare may be better suited on grass with ample Class 1 options available. The Ryan family enjoyed a good morning with father Bill training Speed Force (trial one) and Sheorta (trial four) who won their respective hit-outs.
Just Jay Jay (Mehmet Ulucinar) wins a busy finish in Trial 8 nearest to the inside
Interestingly, the second-fastest trial of the morning was for 2YO’s as the first race for that age group over 800m in Launceston next Wednesday approaches. It was the Cameron Thompson trained gelding Kohima who had benefitted from previous trial experience to win in 40.62s.
Thompson spoke very highly of the gelding following his trial win.
“Kohima is a really nice horse. He has been one that’s probably been slow to mature even though physically he is mature. He trialled really well today, improved out of sight from his Launnie trial where he was slow away, and I expect him to be a really nice horse in the two-year-old races,” said Thompson.
Thompson added that the 800m race might be a bit sharp for Kohima, with a race over further later in the year a more practical target.
“Even though he trialled well today, the Gee Gee’s tend to go pretty quick over 800m, so we are probably better to wait for the Alexandra Plate over 1100m in early December”.
Thompson also had filly Fun ‘N’ Frolic in the same trial who finished well behind her stablemate.
“She’s a nice little horse but she’s getting into the habit of sitting back in the gates and missing the kick. Hopefully we can do a bit of work with her in the next couple of weeks and get her back to the trials,” Thompson commented.
Elsewhere, the Siggy Carr trained Fionnlagh (main picture) dashed away from them late in trial eight to win well and a forward showing early from the 5YO grey gelding wouldn’t surprise.
Scott Brunton had a big team trialling on the day, including the million-dollar plus prize money winner, Hellova Street. The stable confirmed that Hellova Street will head to the Newmarket first-up as will Lord Da Vinci, with the 2017 Hobart Cup winner Count Da Vinci targeting the Conquering Stakes (18 December) for his return.
A full list of trial winners ordered from fastest to slowest trial below:
700m Trials
- Trial 8: Maiden/Class 2 – Just Jay Jay 40.56
- Trial 5: 2YO – Kohima 40.62
- Trial 11: 3YO – Ascot Lad 40.74
- Trial 7: Open – I’m Wesley 40.91
- Trial 3: Maiden/Class 2 – La Plus Belle 41.00
- Trial 9: Maiden/Class 2 – Fionnlagh 41.00
- Trial 12: Open – Bosporus 41.51
- Trial 8: Maiden/Class 2 – Sheorta 41.56
- Trial 10: 2YO – Gee Gee Josie 41.70
- Trial 6: 3YO – Calingo 42.31
1400m Trials
Watch the replay of I’m Wesley winning his trial on Tuesday.