Tulloch Lodge dominate first Sydney 2YO trials

Tulloch Lodge reaffirmed its reputation as Sydney’s leading juvenile stable with a dominant showing at Randwick’s Kensington track on Monday, claiming six of the morning’s official two-year-old trials.

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott saddled the winners of four of the five colts-and-geldings heats and two of the fillies’ trials, producing both the fastest male and female winners on the program.

The headline act was Too Darn Hot filly Shiki, who clocked 49.46secs in an eye-catching win over Better Off Alone. Purchased for $420,000, she confirmed her promise and composure.

“She’s got terrific natural speed, but today she settled well and that was important to see,” Bott said. “It’s a big tick heading into the spring.”

Shiki will now be aimed at the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes on October 4, while the stable’s colts look to the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate on the same card.

Home Invasion (50.63secs) and I’m Ya Huckleberry (49.54secs) continued the early-season momentum of freshman sire Home Affairs, while Eviction Notice, a $380,000 son of Stay Inside, produced the fastest boys’ time of 49.53secs in a dominant victory.

“Both colts have been very natural at home and it was good to see them step up under trial pressure,” Bott said. “They’re two lovely prospects going forward.”

Knightsbridge, a $750,000 Farnan colt, edged his stablemate in a tight finish, and Hellbent youngster Revengeance fought strongly late to secure another trial win for the yard.

Outside Tulloch Lodge, Mitchell and Desiree Kearney struck with Yes Yes Yes filly Oh Yes She Did and I Am Invincible colt Iambubb, while Bjorn Baker unveiled Zoustar filly Masvingo, a $580,000 Magic Millions buy who impressed with a composed display.

The results once again underline Tulloch Lodge’s unrivalled knack for producing precocious talent, a factor sure to influence betting on Sydney’s first Group 3 two-year-old races. Fans looking to back the Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack contenders can compare odds at Australia’s leading betting sites.