A star-studded field of eight spring hopefuls lined up in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Friday morning, with the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Schwarz going on to score an impressive 3.4-length victory under James McDonald.
The son of Zoustar was able to lead every step of the way, holding off all challengers as he cruised through the wire under his own steam, utilising his residual fitness from the Queensland winter carnival, despite failing to make an impression in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 1.
The jump-out win suggests he’s ready to take on some classy types throughout the spring, with Schwarz likely to target the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 5 and the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 2.
He’s likely to meet with Southport Tycoon throughout the preparation, who went through the gears nicely to finish third in the same trial on Friday morning, with the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner chasing home under minimal riding by Tyler Schiller.
The Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24 has been earmarked as his launching point for the preparation, where the would-be four-year-old is considered a $26.00 chance with online bookmakers in futures markets.
Other notable gallopers to step out included Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) winner Manaal, sighted for the first time since being headed by Broadsiding in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 20.
Meanwhile, the now gelded Ceolwulf was only asked to stretch out towards the rear of the field for the Joseph Pride barn, suggesting he’s preparing to take on some of the key staying features after last preparation culminated in a runner-up placing in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) on April 6.
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