Looking Ahead - August 23

3 min read

By Bren O'Brien

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 Thursday, our attention turns to Hawkesbury where we look at a debutante from the Waterhouse and Bott stable who is out of an American G1 winner and a well-bred 4-year-old mare having her first start. Meanwhile, a homebred from a strong performing family gets our attention at Warrnambool.

Hawkesbury, Race 3, $30,000 Maiden - 1000m - 13:50 AEST

Pricy filly Bandol (Snitzel {Aus}) makes her debut on Thursday and there will be plenty of people keen to see how she steps out. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, she has had five trials, including wins in her past two and looks well-placed in this maiden.

Out of Argentinian-bred mare Miss Match (Indygo Shiner {USA}), who was a multiple G1 winner in the USA, she cost $675,000 at the 2017 Easter Sales.

Bandol, pictured as a yearling

However, she is not the most expensive horse in this race, with Starry (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) having sold for $800,000 at the same sale.

Hawkesbury, Race 4, $30,000 Maiden - 1100m - 14:25 AEST

Bjorn Baker has had to show some patience with now four-year-old Fancy Liquor (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), who cost $400,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

She makes her debut over 1100m off the back of two good trials, the most recent when second on August 7 at Rosehill.

From a very strong international sprinting family, this mare's half-brother Office Bearer won his first three starts and ended up a Listed winner so she is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Fancy Liquor, pictured as a yearling

Warrnambool, Race 3 No.2, $26,000 Maiden - 1100m - 14:20 AEST

Trainer Peter Chow has had great success with the progeny of his broodmare Martina Star (Bletchencore {Aus}) and her final foal makes his racetrack debut in a modest Warrnambool maiden on Thursday.

Composed Legend (Written Tycoon) is the sixth foal from Martina Star, and all previous five have won races for Chow, who trains a small team locally and whose stable has been in good form.

This colt's full brother Lord Tennyson ran reasonable race when fifth at Sandown on Wednesday.