John Thompson-trained Reflectance upstaged Group 1 winner Tiger Tees to score an impressive barrier trial win at Royal Randwick this morning.
Reflectance impressed with a strong performance in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick this morning. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Tiger Tees contested the 11th barrier trial of the day over 740 metres and took up the running in the early stages of the trial before being challenged for the lead by New Divide and Plutorius.
The Galaxy winner looked to kick away from the rest of the field coming around the final bend, but Reflectance made up plenty of ground late to score a rare barrier trial victory over Tiger Tees – who has won 11 of his 13 barrier trial starts since making his racing debut at Gosford in 2011.
Reflectance has not been seen at the races since he finished fourth behind Almighty Charge in the Nelune Foundation Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 8 and has not scored a race win since he took out the T&J Whitehouse Handicap (1500m) at Eagle Farm on October 20.
Tiger Tees was sent to the spelling paddock after he failed to beat home a single runner in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 10 at the end of what was a very successful autumn campaign.
The Dubawi entire resumed with a win in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on February 22 and after struggling in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 15, claimed his maiden Group 1 victory in The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 29.
Tiger Tees proved that performance was no fluke when he finished fourth behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 and third in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 26.
Imported galloper Weary finished ahead of Tiger Tees in the All Aged Stakes, but was given a very quiet trial at Royal Randwick this morning.
Weary made rapid progression during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival; starting his campaign in a benchmark 95 handicap at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 before finishing third in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 and second in the All Aged Stakes.
Jockey Tommy Berry was happy with the performance of Weary and was happy with the way that the four-year-old closed and ran through the line.
