Trial form to the fore with first two-year-old race of the season

10 February 2023

THE much-anticipated start to the new season of two-year-old racing has arrived with the Newcastle Harness Racing Club attracting a capacity field for the first juvenile race to be run in New South Wales for 2023.

With the Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival less than five weeks away, there is no doubt trainers will be seeking out lead-in races for their youngsters in preparation for that rich series of races and the Newcastle race will be closely followed by another at Blayney on Sunday afternoon.

The 10 runners tonight are obviously making their respective debuts and trial form will be a useful guide for punters.

And based on the trials, pole marker Tomahawk Bart does appear to have the best credentials.

Trained by Belinda McCarthy and to be driven by her husband Luke (pictured), the colt rated 1:57 and scored by 14m in a Menangle trial.

He is by Sweet Lou and out of Lierre Noir, a mare that won 15 races and more than $130,000 in prizemoney.

Another that has a Menangle trial win to her name is Lux Aeterna, a filly trained and driven by Rickie Alchin.

She is a sister to star pacers Crunch Time and Captain Crusader, both having won well over $200,000 in stakes to date.

Dashing (Jack Callaghan) is an Art Major son of champion mare Frith whose first foal Peaceful won three of her six starts throughout 2022.

He has two trials under his belt and has drawn the backline tonight along with the Michael Teuma-trained Nitro Danny, a colt that has won four Sydney trials.

Local trainer Aaron Goadsby has three runners in the race, and they all have good trial experience.

Luvareschs (Guy Chapple) is Goadsby’s best chance from gate two based on two sound trial wins.

Goadsby presently has six two-year-olds in his stable, confident that all will make the grade.

Forever Skyfall is another leading local hope for trainer-driver Michael Formosa as he has won each of his three trails, recording a best time of 1:59 on February 1.

The juvenile race at Blayney has attracted seven runners including Sydney raider Major Allegiance.

Trained in the Southern Highlands by Dean Atkinson, the colt has twice trialled reasonably at Menangle and will be watched with interest.

The remaining six runners have also shown promise at the trials.