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 Saturday we start out in Adelaide, where a half-sister to a G1 winner resumes, travel to Moonee Valley to see what a top-class Lloyd Williams import has to offer and then head to Newcastle to watch two beautifully bred horses make their debuts.
Morphettville, Race 2, $30,000 3YO Maiden - 1100m - 13:46 AEST
Cross Legend (Sebring {Aus}) makes her return to the track in what looks an interesting maiden in Adelaide. A half sister to G2 winner Thronum (Snitzel {Aus}), who stands at Sun Stud, this filly was bought for $350,000 at the Easter Yearling sale in 2017.
She had one run as two-year-old, in a race at Moonee Valley, where not a lot went right and was sent for a spell. Nominated for the Thousand Guineas, she has been given a couple of jumpouts, the most recent of which saw her drop back and close well. She was scratched from a race at Bendigo to target this race.
Cross Legend (Sebring x Helena's Secret), pictured as a yearling
Moonee Valley, Race 9, $100,000 Open Hcp - 1519m - 17:20 AEST
The Taj Mahal (Galileo {Ire}) makes his return to the track carrying 62.5kg in an open handicap which will give us a great guide to see what level he is at for the spring.
The import was last seen when beaten less than 3l in the G1 Australian Cup, while his spring campaign last year included a fourth in the G1 MacKinnon S. and a win in the G2 Sandown Classic.
Having raced an elite company in France, Ireland, England, the USA and Australia, he looks primed for an attack on the spring features.
He is from a superb family, being a full brother to the multiple G1 winner Gleneagles, plus three other stakes winning siblings.
Newcastle Race 8, $30,000 Maiden - 1400m - 16:49 AEST
This is a fascinating race for a Saturday maiden at Newcastle with two brilliantly-bred runners making their debuts.
Firstly, we have Let It Be (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), who was a $1 million buy at the 2017 Easter sale and little wonder given his pedigree. He is a half brother to former NZ Horse of the Year and current Arrowfield stallion Dundeel (NZ).
Trained by Paul Perry, it will be interesting to see what he brings to the track given his four trials to date haven’t seen him show much. The debut at 1400m is also intriguing.
Girl Tuesday (Street Cry {Ire}) is out of the multiple G1 staying mare Tuesday Joy and trainer Chris Waller has been extra patient with this blueblood, who makes her debut as a four-year-old. Her most recent trial was quite pleasing and you’d expect her to show her best over longer distances than this.
Let It Be (Redoute's Choice x Stareel), pictured as a yearling
