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.
In today's bumper edition we look at horses at Caulfield, Randwick. Morphettville, Hastings and Ruakaka.
Caulfield Race 3 - Hockingstuart Hcp - Mares - $120,000 - 1400m - 13:40 AEST
Plenty of quality horses on display at Caulfield on Saturday but Coral Coast (So You Think {NZ}) is one definitely worth following, especially with races further along in the spring.
We last saw Coral Coast in the Queensland Oaks where she took off very wide around 1000m out and ended up finishing fourth beaten less than three lengths. That was an excellent run, and she's a much better horse than her record of one win from 10 starts indicates.
Watch: Coral Coast being paraded as a yearling before making $360,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
She had one trial heading into this and was given an easy time when beaten less than a length in that. She is out of the multiple Group 1 winning mare Dorabella and cost $360,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Randwick Race 1 - ATC Heritage Hcp - BM74- 3YO - $125,000 - 1300m - 12:10 AEST
This will be a race where there will be a few horses to follow out of it, but undoubtedly of most interest is More Sundays (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). He opened his career with an impressive maiden win at Geelong.
He then trialled at Randwick and looked even more impressive, storming home to win and build his reputation even further. He's headed towards the Golden Rose, so should be fairly prominent in a race like this.
More Sundays is the second foal of multiple Group 1 winning mare, More Joyous
He is the second foal from champion mare More Joyous (More Than ready {USA}), the eight-time Group 1 winning mare. His older half-sister Woman (Frankel {GB}) has had just one start for one win.
Morphettville Race 9 - Quayclean Hcp - BM70 - $35,000 - 1400m - 17:40 AEST
Czechoslovakia (Reliable Man {GB)} makes his Australian debut here having shown considerable promise in five starts in New Zealand. He was last seen when beaten less than a length in the G2 Wellington Guineas at Trentham, while trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young gave him a recent trial at Cranbourne where he was a pleasing second.
A $57,500 buy at Karaka, his dam Lumir (Encosta De Lago {Aus)} is a half sister to the former champion Mahogany (Last Tycoon {(Ire}). He looks to be a horse well worth following this preparation.
Czechoslovakia was a $57,500 purchase from the 2016 NZB Select Yearling Sale
Hastings Race 2 – Heart Of Hawke’s Bay Hcp - BM82 - $30,000 - 1200m - 10:55 AEST, 12:55 NZST
The appropriately-named Flamingo (NZ) (Pins) resumes here following a break after her autumn campaign and has trialled well ahead of her return. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, she is a true blue product of the Matamata nursery as the Chittick family also raced her dam Bird (NZ) (Danasinga), who was stakes placed.
From the family of the G1 Auckland Cup winner Chenille (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), she is a half-sister to the Singapore black type winner Preditor (Savabeel), Flamingo has won four races and has twice placed at Group 3 level. She has first-up form and trainers David and Emma Haworth have the happy knack of having their fresh runners primed to strike.
Ruakaka Race 1 - Northland Rural Mechanical Services Mdn - $10,000 - 1200m - 10:35 AEST, 12.35 NZST
There will be keen interest in the debut performance of Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie’s newcomer Maison Roxanne (NZ) (Snitzel {Aus}). The blueblood is out of Madame Echezeaux (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}), who is a daughter of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and producer Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill {USA}). The filly is raced by breeder Sir Peter Vela and a family that has a host of stand-out performers, including the champion mare Ethereal (Rhythm {USA}). Maison Roxanne has drawn a handy gate and has won her last two trials.
Maison Roxanne is from the family of champion mare, Ethereal
