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 Tuesday, we drop in on a Darren Weir first starter at Mildura with a connection to a Melbourne Cup winner, head to Launceston to check out a well-related horse having its first 3-year-old start and then to Singapore for a resuming colt by Uncle Mo (USA).
Mildura Race 1, Hygain SV 3YO Mdn, $23,000, 1200m, 1:30pm AEST
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) makes his debut here and while we haven't seen him at the trials, he does create a bit of interest. On pedigree, he definitely looks like he’ll stretch out over much further with his dam, Special Favour (General Nediym), a winner over 2200m, while the granddam was a black-type winner over 2000m in New Zealand.
In fact, the pedigree goes back to the NZ champion Horlicks (NZ), the winner of the 1989 Japan Cup. Horlicks, of course, produced the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew (NZ), while G1 winners Fiumicino (NZ) and Sacred Elixir (NZ) also feature on the pedigree page.
Mr Quickie was a $115,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase
Launceston Race 3, A little bit of Country October, 3yo Mdn, $19,000, 1120m, 6:30pm AEST
On the first night meeting of the season, The Inevitable (Dundeel {(NZ)) resumes having had one run as a 2-year-old when third on debut at Hobart back in June. From the very strong Scott Brunton yard, he was a $90,000 buy at the Adelaide Magic Millions in 2017.
His dam Gift Bouquet (King's High) was a Listed winner herself and has produced 14 foals to the racetrack, with nine of them winners, including stakeswinners Blahnik and Elysses. The Inevitable was close-up on debut and looks well-placed to break his maiden here.
The Inevitable as a yearling
Singapore Race 6, C4 Hcp, S$45,000, 1200m, 11:15pm AEST
Mo Almighty (Uncle Mo {USA}) returns to the track after a couple of months since a 3.5l maiden win. He worked home nicely out deep under no pressure at a recent trial and should settle much closer to the pace here from the inside barrier.
He was a $40,000 buy at last year's Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale by trainer Cliff Brown and boasts a couple of interesting names on his pedigree. His dam Clementine (Octagonal {NZ}) is a half sister to Australian Cup winner Old Comrade (Old Spice) as well as WA Group 3 winner All The Aces (Old Spice).
Watch: Mo Almighty's breeze up at the 2017 Ready2Race sale
