JD Hayes liked what he saw from Bold Bastille in her Magic Millions Sunlight preparatory trial in Sydney earlier this week, but he was even more buoyant after talking to Blake Shinn.
The star Melbourne hoop made the trip to Warwick Farm on Monday to partner the filly in the 900-metre trial and he spoke in excited tones when he rang Hayes for a post-workout debrief.
The speedy daughter of Brazen Beau, who has led in most of her nine starts, jumped well but took a sit behind Amazing Eagle and ambled alongside that colt around 150m from home before racing away to score by three lengths under light riding.
“Blake Shinn rang after the trial and he was quite impressed with how tractable she was,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Ben and Will, said.
“She had a bunny, she got into a good rhythm and, I think, just with age she’s starting to mature and getting some versatility in her racing.”
The trial was the three-year-old’s first public appearance under the Yulong green and white colours after that operation paid $810,000 for the dual Listed winner via Inglis Digital in November.
She made a pit-stop in Sydney, along with stablemate Stoli Bolli, who are both bound for the Gold Coast on January 4.
There they will tackle the $3 million The Sunlight, the inaugural edition of the new slot race that is part of the ever-expanding Magic Millions Carnival.
The 1100m event is pulling together a slick field with this year’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and Magic Millions specialist Arabian Summer headlining their rivals.
“It’s very good prizemoney on offer and has attracted a quality field, Lady Of Camelot is there, so it’s nothing to be sneezed at and we’re going to have to be at our best.”
