Menangle trials point to QLD winter Carnival ambitions

Several horses with QLD feature race aspirations produced encouraging harness racing performances at Wednesday’s Menangle trials, highlighted by the return of veteran pacer Max Delight (Bettor’s Delight), the impressive victory of Cynical (Bettor’s Delight) alongside NSW Derby winner Hollywood Strip, and another polished display from unbeaten two-year-old filly Birdsong.

The strongest trial of the morning saw Cynical defeat Hollywood Strip and Max Delight in a slick mile rate of 1:51.3.

Max Delight worked to the lead before Hollywood Strip enjoyed the perfect run in the trail and emerged approaching the home turn. Cynical followed that move into the race before surging over the top late under young reinsman Jye Coney.

While beaten into third placing, Max Delight’s effort pleased driver Will Rixon ahead of the gelding’s upcoming Queensland campaign.

“Yeah, really pleased with him Alana,” Rixon said.

“He’s pretty casual leader, he’s always been. [David] Aiken thought he needed it today before heading up next week, so we’re happy where he’s at.

“He did a similar thing leading into the Inter Dominion last year with a trial, ran a similar time and went up there and went super, so can’t wait for next week.”

The winner, Cynical, impressed trainer David Thorn after receiving treatment following his last start defeat at Menangle.

“We had a few joints injected, he was a little bit sore after his last start here at Menangle when he got beat,” Thorn said.

“I was a little disappointed with him, but we had the vet go over him, got a couple of joints injects and he seems to have taken benefit from it.

“it was a really good trial today against Max Delight, Hollywood Strip and Sparkling Sea. He won pretty easy and never pulled the plugs.”

Thorn said the four-year-old’s immediate target remains Queensland’s major age-restricted feature, The Rising Sun, before setting him for The Euerka later this year.

“Obviously the target would be the Rising Sun and The Eureka, so hopefully we can get a run in them races.”

Hollywood Strip also earned praise from trainer-driver Brad Hewitt, who was more interested in the manner of the performance than the finishing position.

The four-year-old settled behind a horse for just the second time in his career before finishing strongly for second.

“He was pretty good Alana,” Hewitt said.

“We’ve just been working on having him settled. He’s only ever been in behind the field once before and he didn’t handle it too well.

“If anything, he was a little too relaxed today, but he pulled up really good and it was a nice little hit out. We’ve got another 12 days to have him cherry ripe.”

Earlier in the trials, Birdsong enhanced her reputation as one of Australia’s leading juvenile fillies with a dominant victory in a two-year-old trial.

The Huntsville filly scored comfortably and trainer-driver KerryAnn Morris indicated the focus now shifts to Brisbane.

“Yeah, I’m happy enough with the trial,” Morris said.

“She’s never been a really known leader, she can get a little bit lost in front, but I’m really happy with the way she’s pulled up.

“She’ll head to Brisbane next week, probably looking to race her next Saturday night. She’s got a spot (Roseland Racing) in the Protostar, so we’re really looking forward to the next few weeks with her.”

For complete Menangle trial results, click here.

From Harnesslink Media