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 head to Newcastle for their Cup day to check out a well-related 3-year-old in a maiden and then travel to Swan Hill for a Darren Weir runner stepping up in distance.
Newcastle Race 3 - NBN News Maiden Plate - $35,000 - 1200m - 2.05pm AEST
The well-related Shinju (Written Tycoon) comes from an outstanding female family developed in New Zealand by boutique breeders Nigel and Adaire Auret. This 3-year-old is a son of the stakes performer Another Pearl (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}), who is the dam of the Listed winner Mini Pearl (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) and is a sister to the former champion juvenile Pompeii Pearl, an unbeaten Group 1 winner before her sale to US interests.
Shinju was a $650,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase after selling for $140,000 the previous year as a weanling. Trained by the Snowdens, he placed in the Wellington Boot last term and this season has run two solid placings and suggested he’s close to shedding his novice tag.
Shinju as a yearling
Swan Hill Race 1 - SHJC Become an 18/19 Member Now Maiden - $26,000 - 1600m - 1.30pm AEST
Champion trainer Darren Weir has multiple representation here, but Savoie (Ilovethiscity) might be the way to go. He has improved with each outing this term and last time out was a close second at Geelong. Behind him that day, was Wednesday's smart Bendigo winner Thunderdome (Hinchinbrook {Aus}).
He is a son of the multiple winner Larissar (Street Cry {IRE}) out of a half-sister to the seven-time winner and black type performer Lewinsky (Snippets). It is also the family his close relation Miamore (Snippets), the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner. Savoie has placed up to 1400 metres and the step up to a mile in this looks ideal for the 3-year-old. He will be ridden by the in-form Dean Yendall.
