Looking Ahead - October 2nd

3 min read

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.

Today, we have found two strong maiden chances at the Swan Hill fixture and a likely type at the Nowra meeting.

Swan Hill The Peter Burnett Roast Maiden $23,000 975m 1.30pm

Thunderbolt Two (Bel Esprit) finished third in his sole appearance on the course last season before he was put away by trainer Brent Stanley. He makes his return here and from an inside gate he looks set to give another strong account of himself.

A $60,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase, he is out of the winning Rahy (USA) mare Brideshead (USA). She is a half-sister to four winners, including the black type winner Please Explain (USA) (Curlin {USA}).

The feature name in the pedigree is the G1 Belmont Jockey Club Gold Cup and G1 Del Mar Pacific Classic S., winner Borrego (USA) (El Prado {USA}).

Thunderbolt Two as a yearling

Swan Hill Hygain Maiden Plate $23,000 1600m 2.30pm

Periscope (NZ) (Raise The Flag {USA}) comes from a successful New Zealand black type family. His mother Perceptible (NZ) (Personal Escort {USA}) won 11 times, including the G3 White Robe Lodge H.

Four of her foals to race have been successful with Anudjawan (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}), who was twice Group 3 placed.

Periscope was bought out of New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale for NZ$36,000 and is expected to have derived benefit from his first-up run for the season. The step up to 1600 metres will also be ideal for the patiently-handled 4-year-old.

Periscope at the South Island Sale

Nowra Shoalhaven River Festival Maiden $22,000 1100m 1.50pm

Graterra (Congrats {USA}) has had two trials to prepare him for this and was an eye-catching second in his latest outing at Warwick Farm earlier this month.

Trained by Mark Newnham, the 3-year-old has the advantage of the inside gate and will also benefit from apprentice Robbie Dolan’s two kilo claim.

A son of the Danehill (USA) mare Danasierra, who was a multiple winner and stakes performer, Graterra’s dam is out the Group 1 winner Red Express and is a sister to the G1 Cox Plate winner Dane Ripper. He was a $46,000 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale purchase for Darby Racing.

Danasierra as a yearling