Azkadellia lives up to reputation as revamped Eagle Farm has first real hitout

AZKADELLIA franked her high rating for the winter sprints as Eagle Farm went under the microscope for its first serious test in five barrier trials on Thursday.

No barrier to success: Stradbroke favourite and Group 1-winning mare Azkadellia easily wins a trial at Eagle Farm on Thursday. Picture: Jono Searle

AZKADELLIA franked her high rating for the winter sprints as Eagle Farm went under the microscope for its first serious test in five barrier trials on Thursday.

While there was some kickback, particularly around the side from the 700m-500m point, jockeys said the track handled well and stewards are satisfied that it is ready for racing.

Billy The Kid may well be the answer to a trivia question in years to come, being the first horse to win a trial on the new track.

He was partnered by experienced jockey Jeff Lloyd, who said the track felt good but would benefit from more time and racing.

“The more you use it the better it will be,” Lloyd said.

“There are a few patches worse than others, in particular from the 900m to the 700m.

“I think it’s a case of using it more and letting the ground compact more.

‘‘It feels very good underfoot and the new camber is beautiful.’’

Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said the track was “exactly where we thought it would be”.

“It’s probably an eight out of 10 at the moment, he said.

‘‘In 12 months it will be 10 out of 10.

‘‘There’s a little bit of kickback, but that’s what you get with new tracks. What we do know is that it’s ready for three days of Group 1 racing.”

The Ciaron Maher-trained Group 1-winning mare Azkadellia was the star attraction, as more than 500 intrigued race fans looked on and sampled the new Eagle Farm facilities before its Oaks Day return on June 4.

Under Michael Cahill, Azkadellia was allowed to zip home in a slick 33.43 sec to win her trial comfortably.

“There’s no frills about her and she got stronger as the trial went on,” Cahill said.

“Ciaron told me she would take a while to work into it, but coming to the turn all of a sudden she just took off.

‘‘I never asked her to fully extend at any stage.”

Maher is walking the handicap tightrope with Azkadellia, but is still leaning toward a start in next week’s Doomben 10,000.

Azkadellia is likely to receive 54.5kg-55kg in the Stradbroke and a win in the 10,000 would increase that figure to a point where Maher concedes it would be tough to win the $1.5 million sprint.

“I will speak to the handicapper,’’ he said. ‘‘She has to win the Doomben 10,000 for that to be a problem.

“I’ve got no doubts the Stradbroke is the better race for her.

“As you saw in the trial, she’s a get-back horse and she will be much better suited at Eagle Farm.

“She is thriving up here. She looks particularly well.”

Trainer Ciaron Maher talks with Michael Cahill before the much-anticipated trial of Azkadellia. Picture: Jono Searle

Originally published as Azkadellia lives up to reputation as revamped Eagle Farm has first real hitout