Two heats for juveniles at the Randwick barrier trials on Monday morning produced a super impressive win for a first crop son of fertility troubled $7million earner Criterion.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Criterion colt Blaze a Trail did just that, leading all the way for James McDonald and opening up to win the 735 metre scamper by six and a half lengths.
A homebred for Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, who also bred and raced his sire Criterion, Blaze a Trail looked a serious prospect with this powerhouse win.
He is the first foal of Group III placed Bachelor Duke (GB) mare Flaming (NZ), a half-sister to Group II winner Smoulder from juvenile stakes-winner Flying Firebird.
A remarkable racehorse that contested a Golden Slipper and placed in a Melbourne Cup, four time Group I winner Criterion retired to Newgate Farm and stood his first season at a fee of $35,750, but produced just 14 live foals, so has very limited numbers to run for him this season.
Another of those 14 foals, the Bjorn Baker trained two year-old filly Lady of Luxury also trialled this morning , albeit at Hawkesbury and she also showed talent to be beaten a head in her 800 metre trial beaten by $800,000 Magic Millions I Am Invincible colt Holyfield, who is from Group I winner Hurtle Myrtle.
Lady of Luxury also runs for Go Bloodstock, although she was purchased as a yearling from the Kitchwin Hills draft at Magic Millions for $180,000 and is from Miss Beauty World, a sibling to stakes-winners Lite’n in in My Veins, Hi World, Loveyamadly and Ducimus.v