Interesting set of trials at Rosehill on Friday morning featured a two year-old heat won by a son of Zoustar as well as two intriguing stakes-winning older horses that both won heats and all three were bred and or sold by Widden Stud.
Champion trainer Chris Waller doesn’t produce many pre-Christmas two year-olds but Tropic put his hand up as a natural up and runner when taking out his 900m heat by the best part of a length. He began fairly for Jason Collett, who then allowed him to just find his feet and get over to the fence where he settled into a rhythm behind the pace. When asked to improve at the furlong he worked to the line to win the heat held together.
A $440,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Widden for China Horse Club / Newgate / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy, Tropic is a brother to stakes-placed Philosopher from Lone, an unraced sibling to stakes-winners Gai’s Choice, Atmospherical and Peron. Also from that family is quality Group winning Trapeze Artist filly Facile, who was also in action at this set of trials.
Sold through the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale earlier this year for $700,000 to Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, Facile was having her first outing in her new colours and for new trainer Peter Snowden. She showed her customary dash to lead all the way and win by a neck under a hold.