Acromantula begins path to Melbourne riches with Lark Hill trial victory

Speedster Acromantula launched his road to a Melbourne campaign when he blew out the cobwebs with a cosy success at Monday’s Lark Hill trials. Acromantula, who was last seen when finish down the track in the Roma Cup behind Oscar’s Fortune and Amelia’s Jewel, sprung the gates to quickly take the trial by the scruff of the neck. With Vast Art moving to sit in second place, albeit a length astern, the two moved at least two lengths clear of the chasing pack. Below the 200m mark, jockey Natasha Faithfull lightly shook up the six-year-old gelding to hold off the attentions of a driven Vast Art and Acromantula coasted home to score by a length, with a further three lengths back to Harmika. Co-trainer Dan Pearce said it was a taking trial that offered exactly what he needed ahead of a Melbourne raid. “That was super – it was a really good trial and he’s right on track,” Pearce said. “He’ll have a second trial in two weeks and then he’ll start in Melbourne on the 10th of August in a benchmark 100 at Moonee Valley over 1000m. “We’ll just see from there but the race he won last year, the Carlyon Stakes, is the main goal.” Last year, Acromantula followed the same trajectory with a Lark Hill trial success before running third in a benchmark 100 race over 1000m at Moonee Valley. He scored a decisive win in the Listed Norman Carlyon, ran fifth in the Group 2 McEwen and then finished last in the Group 1 Moir Stakes. “The first two races are the most suitable, so we’ll assess after that,” Pearce said. “That was his first hit-out and it’ll bring him right along. “Tash (Natasha Faithfull) was really pleased and said he felt better than he did twelve months ago before he went east.” Dan, who trains alongside brother Ben, have experienced recent success with progeny of stallion Galah. Foremost among them is Let’s Galahvant, who reached a peak at his last preparation when landing the Group 3 Strickland Stakes. “He’s having a few weeks off and he’ll be back for the Railway,” Pearce said. “He’s a real trier and last preparation was a real step up. “He’s been emergency the last two years, so he deserves his chance.” The $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) will be run at Ascot on November 23, while another son of Galah may target the Kalgoorlie round. “Bird’s The Word could possibly go to Kalgoorlie – he ran second on Saturday and I thought he was really good dropping to 1200m and still running through the line,” Pearce said. Bird’s The Word, who was narrowly touched off by a gutsy Boots Like Bruce in that race, appeals as a likely contender for the Hannans Handicap (1400m) on October 2.