Unraced colt Deploy upstaged Headwater and Press Statement to record an impressive win in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Press Statement is working towards the start of his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign that will include an early tilt at the Golden Rose Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Press Statement jumped from the gates quickly in the fifth barrier trial of the morning over 900 metres, but he was quickly restrained in the early stages and was settled behind Headwater and Deploy in the early stages.
Headwater was asked for an extra effort with about 150 metres left to run, but Deploy was also able to respond under heavy riding to score an upset victory, while Press Statement hit the line fairly under a heavy hold to finish third.
Deploy is yet to be seen at the races, but the Fastnet Rock colt has now recorded two wins from as many race starts and is likely to be well-supported when he is first seen at the races.
Headwater was one of the most impressive trailers of the morning when he scored a comfortable win over 740 metres at Warwick Farm on July 24, but he was put under more pressure this morning in a barrier trial that was different to the majority of those given to Team Hawkes-trained gallopers.
The Exceed And Excel colt has not been seen at the races since he finished a credible fifth behind Vancouver in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 12.
Press Statement is another horse that is on the path to the Golden Rose Stakes and he did enough to impress onlookers with the first public appearance of his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The son of Hinchinbrook hit the line strongly to record an upset win on debut in the Place Multi Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury on April 29 and he led from start to finish in a similar race at Rosehill Gardens on May 30 before he made his Group 1 debut with a victory over Sagaronne and Look To The Stars in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on June 6.
Press Statement is likely to start his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 29 before he heads into the Golden Rose second-up.
Press Statement is currently available at 2015 Golden Rose Stakes odds of $13 with Ladbrokes, while Headwater is available at a quote of $15 to claim a maiden win at the highest level of racing.
