The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Criterion colt Blaze a Trail did just that,
leading all the way for James McDonald and opening up to win the 735 metre
scamper by six and a half lengths.
A homebred for Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, who also bred and raced his sire Criterion, Blaze a Trail looked a serious prospect with this powerhouse win.
He is the first foal of Group III placed Bachelor Duke (GB) mare Flaming (NZ), a half-sister to Group II winner Smoulder from juvenile stakes-winner Flying Firebird.
A remarkable racehorse that contested a Golden Slipper and placed in a Melbourne Cup, four time Group I winner Criterion retired to Newgate Farm and stood his first season at a fee of $35,750, but produced just 14 live foals, so has very limited numbers to run for him this season.
Another of those 14 foals, the Bjorn Baker trained two year-old filly Lady of
Luxury also trialled this morning , albeit at Hawkesbury and she also showed
talent to be beaten a head in her 800 metre trial beaten by $800,000 Magic
Millions I Am Invincible colt Holyfield, who is from Group I winner Hurtle Myrtle.
Lady of Luxury also runs for Go Bloodstock, although she was purchased as a yearling from the Kitchwin Hills draft at Magic Millions for $180,000 and is from Miss Beauty World, a sibling to stakes-winners Lite’n in in My Veins, Hi World, Loveyamadly and Ducimus.
The other juvenile heat at Randwick went the way of I Am Invincible filly Close
to Me, a $1million Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman Park draft for Yulong
Investments, who had a lot of success last season with another I Am Invincible
filly in Catch Me.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, she settled off the pace and charged to the line to win under a hold by a little over a length with James McDonald in the saddle.
Bred by Keith Biggs, Close to Me is the second foal of stakes-winning Choisir
mare Rose of Choice, who has foaled again this spring to I Am Invincible
producing a colt.