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Warwick Farm Trials (15/1) Review
By Ray Hickson

Brazilica is bred to be winning races like the Flight Stakes when we get to the next spring carnival but this youngster is already showing above average ability after just one official trial.

And what a debut to the racing game it was.

The Chris Waller-trained filly, by Redoute’s Choice from VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse, looked the complete professional in every step of the 800m heat.

She was first away but wasn’t able to lead as a couple of others kicked up underneath to hold her three wide. Hugh Bowman had her held together as she took over again early in the run home and at the 200m gave her one push and she stretched away to a two length win.

Brazilica is paid up at first acceptance level for the Golden Slipper (second decs close on Tuesday 23rd) and where Waller places her on debut will tell us a lot about his opinion of her.

Watch Brazilica's super impressive trial win at Warwick Farm on Monday

A pair of Star Thoroughbreds three-year-olds who are well known to punters – Luiza and D’Argento – had their second trials ahead of possible returns this weekend.

The duo were left to chase the Joe Pride trained Brook Magic, who looked the goods as she kept a controlled speed throughout to an easy win for the second time this campaign.

Luiza ran up inside Brook Magic and fleetingly looked a hope of testing her, at the same time she wasn’t asked the question, while D’Argento was given a bit of encouragement to stretch out and claim third.

That’s not unprecedented for the unbeaten grey – who looks a bit greyer than last prep.

Outside Brook Magic, Joe Pride would’ve been rapt with the trial of Once More A Lady who, surprisingly, only has a 65 benchmark so don’t be shocked if she’s placed where she can gain a confidence boosting win.

She was under a big hold as she closed off very strongly late to just miss third, on the back of her much lighter raced stablemate Miss Que.

That mare, an impressive debut winner in June, covered plenty of extra ground and was tried out just a bit more than Once More A Lady.

Memes has been nominated for the Summer Sprint (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday and she goes there with another minor placing after running third in her 800m heat.

There’s a little bit of jury’s out about her but it’s hard to put the finger on it. She took on the leader (and winner) who got away from her in the straight with neither overly tested.

Super Too scored a slick win in her Warwick Farm trial. (Pic: Steve Hart).

She’s hard to knock, though, having won five races last time in with her only failure being at the end of the prep in Group 2 weight-for-age company.

There’s already been plenty said about She Will Reign’s pleasing second placing in the opening 800m heat on the course proper.

She landed a couple of lengths astern of Super Too, who did her usual thing and ran along, and closed marginally in the last 100m or so to be beaten just over a length.

She Will Reign trials again on January 29 and this was a solid starting point.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that the short course specialist Super Too won the trial and looked quite good in her own right as she slipped along in front and certainly wasn’t pressured.

Waller stablemates Scream Park (concerned he’s 'lost a leg'), Shillelagh (quiet trial) and Merovee (pressured a little) finished within 0.2 lengths of each other but over six from Super Too.

Gary Portelli’s unraced two-year-old Exceltic made it three wins from as many trial appearances with quite an impressive performance in the fastest time of the four juvenile heats.

He settled off the pace, came to the outside on the turn and given a small dig he produced a sharp turn of foot to win running away.

A trio from the Hawkes stable are a little hard to read but worth a mention.

They are Outrageous (2yo), Byzantium and Reflectivity (both 3yos). All are yet to win a race from limited starts but all looked to have a significant amount in hand finishing close up in their respective trials.

Catch up on the results and replays from Monday's barrier trials at Warwick Farm