Group 1 stars strut their stuff at Rosehill trials on Tuesday morning

A host of Group 1 performers — including Fangirl and Via Sistina — stepped out at the Rosehill trials on Tuesday.

Tropical Squall was one of the stars of the show at the Rosehill trials on Tuesday. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

There was a whiff of spring in the air at Rosehill on Tuesday morning when some of Australian racing’s powerhouses stepped out at the barrier trials.

Horses with a total of 18 Group 1 wins competed during the first three trials on the program.

The third heat, a 900m trial was the strongest based on Group 1 victories with five individual Group 1 winners in the heat.

The trial was won by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Tropical Squall, a two-time Group 1 winner.

Tropical Squall led throughout to score by 1½ lengths from Amor Victorious with Thunderlips a length back in third.

Tropical Squall stopped the clock in 55.03 seconds, running the last 600m in 34.45.

Behind the placegetters were Chris Waller’s four Group 1 winners, Zougotcha, Fangirl, Hinged and Atishu, all given an easy time.

1⃣ Tropical Squall
2⃣ Amor Victorious
3⃣ Thunderlips

The dual Group 1 winning @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott filly holds a comfortable margin in a 900m trial at Rosehill. Behind the placings were @cwallerracing mares Fangirl, Zougotcha, Atishu and Hinged. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/wd8POPU5Ol

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 22, 2024

The other 900m trial was run in considerably slower time with another Group 1 winner Joliestar leading throughout in 56.60 seconds, last 600m in 36.60.

Last year’s Thousand Guineas winner was under a tight grip throughout in the trial but prevailed by a half-length over an equally controlled Caballus from the Bjorn Baker stable with a length back to the runner-up’s stablemate Spring Lee.

Three-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket finished back in the pack after having an easy time throughout in the trial.

Group 1 winner Joliestar and @mcacajamez take out a 900m trial at Rosehill, the @cwallerracing filly held off Caballus with Spring Lee in third. Dual Derby victor Riff Rocket finished midfield. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/svbBAxbdqu

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 22, 2024

The opening heat of the day was a 1000m contest and it was taken out by a free-running Williamsburg who scored by 3¼ lengths.

Williamsburg ran 1.01.54 for the journey, last 600m in 34.76.

Working home strongly from the back in the trial was star imported mare Via Sistina who was doing her best work late under her own steam.

1⃣ Williamsburg
2⃣ Golden Path
3⃣ Battleton

The @GRyanRacing galloper, now a gelding, leads all the way to win a 1000m trial at Rosehill in a heat containing Group 1 winner Via Sistina and exciting import Eliyass. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/kifnbVnizo

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 22, 2024

Prior to the trials, premier trainer Chris Waller indicated his starters would not be out to break records in their first public hit out.

“They are still a month away from racing so respect that and don’t expect them to come out and win their trials because they are 28 days off race fitness,” Waller said.

“I couldn’t be happier with all of them.”

Waller indicated Sydney’s first Group 1 of the spring, the Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 24 would see some of his team of weight-for-age gallopers but not all on this.

He plans to split the likes of Fangirl, Via Sistina, Riff Rocket, Atishu, Hinged and Buckaroo.

“I don’t want them all running in the Winx Stakes,” he said.

“It will be the Winx Stakes, the Memsie, the Makybe Diva. There is a big gap between the Winx and the King Charles so we will have a look at our options. But they will be ready to go on Winx Stakes day, they won’t all run together.”

One horse that will be there in the Winx Stakes is Tropical Squall.

“We’re looking to kick her off in the Winx Stakes,” Adrian Bott said.

“Races like the King Charles, Epsom and Golden Eagle are on her radar.”

Originally published as Group 1 stars strut their stuff at Rosehill trials on Tuesday morning