Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, we are we are watching out for a first starter at Bathurst and a very well-bred 3-year-old colt from Lindsay Park at Geelong.
Bathurst, Race 2, $20,000 Maiden - 1208m - 13:25 AEST
Florida Girl (Sebring) was a pretty pricey yearling ($375,000) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale last year for Justin Casse/Bjorn Baker and makes her debut in a modest maiden at Bathurst off the inside barrier.
Florida Girl
She has had two trials to prepare for her debut, the latest at Rosehill on August 7, where she raced wide on the track and was given an easy time in finishing fourth. Trainer Bjorn Baker has has an extraordinary 43 per cent winning strike rate (19 winners) in the past 12 months at Bathurst.
Her dam Cathay Lady was a winner of the Listed Belle of the Turf and was Group 2 placed.
Geelong Race 3, $26,000 Maiden - 1200m - 14:30 AEST
Sikorsky (Pierro) will kick off his 3-year-old campaign with what looks a relatively straight forward maiden on Friday.
The Lindsay Park colt was well-supported when he debuted in the Listed Redoute's Choice S. at Caulfield, but he was all a bit new and this looks a very suitable first-up assignment for him.
Sikorsky (Pierro x Musidora) pictured as a yearling
Sikorsky sold for $500,000 at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling sales, with David Hayes himself the winning bidder and breeders Coolmore retaining a share in the colt. He is a half-brother to stakes winners Tulip and Sacred Eye and his dam Musidora (Rock of Gibraltar {IRE}) was a Group 3 winner, who is from the family of Flying Spur and Encosta De Lago.
It’s also worth noting that Lindsay Park have been using these Geelong Synthetic meetings to give their up-and-coming gallopers a soft launch to their campaign and last Friday won the first five races on the program.
