Hot Danish warming up for return

Quality mare Hot Danish took another step towards her race return with a barrier trial win at Randwick on Friday.

The multiple Group winner won her 1050m heat by 1-1/4 lengths over Melpomene in 1:02.70, pleasing trainer Les Bridge.

It was Hot Danish's second trial this preparation and Bridge said the six-year-old was progressing well ahead of her return in next Saturday's Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

"She trialled well," Bridge said.

"She only did what she had to do, but I was pleased with it."

The Randwick trainer is likely to restrict Hot Danish to shorter distances this preparation as she bids to win an elusive Group One.

Villiers winner Palacio De Cristal also won a trial at Randwick, taking out the opening heat over 1200m.

The Grahame Begg-trained mare, who ran an eye-catching third in the Apollo Stakes before being scratched from the Chipping Norton Stakes last Saturday on race morning because of the wet weather, took out the trial by three-quarters of a length over Parfumier in 1:13.60.

Palacio De Cristal defeated Parfumier by a neck in the Group Two Villiers Stakes in December.