Railway Stakes winner Regal Power has got his preparation for the All Star Mile (1600m) underway in fine fashion, winning a 930m trial at Lark Hill.
The four-year-old worked through his gears for jockey William Pike impressively in the narrow win over Some Sort and stablemate Mystery Miss.
Regal Power has been nominated for both the Australian Cup (2000m) and All Star Mile at Flemington and Caulfield on March 7 and 14 respectively.
Co-trainer Grant Williams said he was pleased with the gelding’s effort and a decision would be made in the coming days whether he would trial once or twice more before Melbourne.
“I thought it was hard enough,” he told The Races WA.
“We didn’t want to easier a trial, because we’ve really only got him pencilled in for two trials.
“There is the option with three, but we will just see how he pulls up.”
Regal Power will kick off his autumn campaign in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22.
Williams said he was hopeful Regal Power would be able to trial over 1400m at his next trial on February 11.
“We’re trialling down the back straight today, which takes the 1400 out of contention,” he said.
“We just need to speak to the guys at Lark Hill to see if we can get a 1400 put on in a fortnight.
“A 1200 really isn’t going to be able to do it for us, we really need a 1400 and a good blowout.”
Regal Power is one of four West Australian-trained horses nominated for the All Star Mile, alongside Australia Stakes winner Scales Of Justice, Black Heart Bart and Platoon.
None of the quartet occupy a spot in the top 10 on the leaderboard, which assures entry to the $5 million race.
However, four wildcards will be handed out after voting closes.
Regal Power’s Melbourne autumn campaign kicked into gear at Lark Hill trials this morning, his first hit out this year. Co-trainer Grant Williams spoke to @santassnippets and provided an update on the gun four year old. @TAB_touch @TABradio @OfficialRWWA @PerthRacing pic.twitter.com/iNHpTEkesW
— The Races WA (@theracesWA) January 28, 2020
Meanwhile, Williams said three time Listed winner Mystery Miss would also trial again prior to her race track return.
“She’s a really nice horse and she’s come back really well,” he said.
“She’s got a lot of condition on her.
“She will have another trial to get her closer to that raceday fitness.”
The other horse of note to trial for the Williams team was Celebrity Queen, who was placed in the TABtouch 3YO Classic last October.
The filly flashed home late to score an impressive win over Rapisarda and Williams said he couldn’t have asked for anymore from the trial.
“Celebrity Queen did it really easy,” he said.
“There’s a race for her next week that she can go in as long as she pulls up well tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, last week’s Mungrup Stud Sprint winner Baraki Beats will race at Ascot this Saturday on his way to the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) on February 15.
Baraki Beats’ trainer Joanne Leeson, who also won the Batavia Sprint at Geraldton on Sunday with Field Of Vision, told TABradio she was hopeful the veteran sprinter could hold his form going to the Cyril Flower Stakes.
Tim Walker
www.rwwa.com.au