SYDNEY - Randwick and Rosehill Guineas winner Metal Bender warmed up for his likely return in the Warwick Stakes with a smart barrier trial win at Rosehill yesterday.
Ridden by Corey Brown, Metal Bender edged out Teivovo by a head with Melbourne Cup hopeful Ready To Lift just over eightlengths away third over 1030 metres in the first of 13 heats.
Allan Denham, son of Metal Bender's trainer Jack, said the 4-year-old was a chance of resuming in the Warwick Stakes at Randwick on August 22.
Last year's Doncaster winner Triple Honour ran fourth to Fangles in the second heat of the day also over 1030 metres, while George Main Stakes winner Mentality defeated Likenothinelsie over 900 metres.
Onemorenomore, the horse who delivered Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm its maiden group one in the Champagne Stakes in April, finished third to Mumslad in a 900-metre trial.
Patinack Farm's general manager Rick Connolly said the performance was pleasing.
"He went super for his first trial back and being so fresh," Connolly said.
"He settled back before finishing nicely and only got beaten a head by a head, he looks in tremendous order.
"We might go first-up into the Golden Rose but we need to see how he does after this trial first.
"His main target will be the Caulfield Guineas and we're even contemplating a Cox Plate run if everything goes well."
Stablemate So Anyway, who finished fifth in the Golden Slipper, ran second to the Chris Waller-trained Big Birdie over 900 metres.
