Cambridge Trials' Reflections

We reflect on a few of the runners that trialled last week at Cambridge.

Showery and Heavy10, rail true, 10mls rain overnight.

Heat 1: Eighth of ten in transit over 1200 metres, Echezeaux (5 m Encosta De Lago - Grand Echezeaux) - M. McNab - worked through the line in staying fashion on footing outside her comfort zone.

Off a rating of 69, with two wins up to 2100m from only seven starts, Echezeaux has what it takes to realise a cups' campaign.  Regarded as a 'Blue Hen' mare, the highest accolade afforded to broodmares, Grand Echezeaux is also the dam of Darci Brahma (Danehill), Saperavi (Stravinsky) and Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), from a line that produced Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm).

Heat 3: Amperage (4 g Zabeel - Miss Zapper) - J. Fawcett - began smartly and after racing handily he sustained his run under minimum urging to finish close up in fourth.

A winner for the Te Akau 2014 Cups' Syndicate (which also includes the talented Zambezi Warrior who resumes this weekend) over 2100 metres in 2:11.3, last 600m in 35.9, Amperage was purchased by David Ellis for $150,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm.  Ellis also bought his half-sister, Zip Zap, by Stravinsky (Nureyev) for $75,000 the following year at Karaka.

Heat 4: The good-looking Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out) - M. McNab - was having his first trial outing since winning by 5.5 lengths in June at Otaki. He was held together finishing in midfield over 935 metres and now pencilled in to resume the $22,500 Rating 75 1200 metres on September 30 at Te Rapa.

The winner of two races from five starts, Splurge was purchased by David Ellis for $500,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, and subsequently owned by the Te Akau 2014 Breeding Syndicate that races Xtravagant, Beacon of Hope and Rocksun - all winners last season.  The syndicate was named Racing Matamata's "Owners of the Year" for 2015/6 last month at its annual awards' ceremony for the training centre.

Heat 5: Three time winner Vive La Difference (5 m Choisir - L'Artiste) - Matt Cameron - also finished midfield, in a pleasing first up effort over 935 metres and she will likely trial again before racing.

Winner of the $40,000 Rating 85 1800 metres on New Zealand Cup Day at Riccarton, following a 3,2,2,1,2 form line, she was bought by David Ellis for $67,500 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale, from the draft of Haunui Farm.

Heat 6: Rocksun (4 g Fastnet Rock - Beyond the Sunset) - J. Fawcett - was last of ten runners at the 400m before working home under his own steam for third, in a very good first up trial performance over 935 metres.  A good winner of the Rating 65 1400 metres at New Plymouth, when last presented in June, he has won two of his six starts for the Te Akau 2014 Breeding Syndicate.

A half-brother to Matamata Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner Te Akau Coup and stakes' winner of four races Don Garcia (Danehill), both purchased by David Ellis and trained by Mark Walker, Rocksun also fitted the bill at yearling inspections time before being purchased from the Pencarrow Stud draft at Karaka.

2YO 630 metres:

Heat 8: In the fastest (39.6) of two heats over the trip, 2 f Burgundy - Eclectic Heights - J. Fawcett - shot through to lead soon after the start, quickening clear in the straight and was allowed to ease near the line for a one and three-quarter length win. A sure footed youngster, she was bred by David Ellis & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.

Maiden 4YO & Up 800 metres:

Heat 14: Maleficent (4 m Rip Van Winkle - Fairy Tipsy) - J. Fawcett - held her place in fourth, working through the line solidly. Patiently handled and looking for more ground, she is a half-sister to Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Distill (Volksraad) and Mr Tipsy (Montjeu): placed in the Auckland and Sydney cups and winner of eleven races.

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