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 look at a quality filly first-up at Tauranga, a first starter from a good mare at Kyneton and a talented 3-year-old under the lights at Moonee Valley.
Tauranga Race 1, Cambridge Stud 5 Time Breeder of the Year, $25,000, 1200m, 9:17am AEST. (12.17pm NZDT)
In what is a competitive age group event, Van Irving (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) could provide some tasty value. She won fresh-up last season and is coming into this off the back of a quiet trial.
She is a daughter of the unraced Pins mare Dulcine’e (NZ) and is a half-sister to the G2 Edward Manifold S., winner She Will Be Loved (Strategic). The dam is also a half-sister to the G2 Challenge S., winner Soleil Rouge (NZ) (Red Tempo {NZ}) and the family of the Group 1 winners Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel) and All Thrills Too (St Covet).
Kyneton Race 1, bet365 Mdn, $23,000, 1100m, 12:30pm AEST
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Zavance (Mossman) makes her debut having looked pretty competitive in a recent trial at Cranbourne, where she jumped brilliantly, before sitting deep throughout to be beaten less than two lengths.
Out of black-type winning mare Shalimar Sky, she was a $100,000 buy at the 2017 Easter Sales. She is a half-sister to Listed winner Nancy (Big Brown {USA}), who won comfortably on debut herself.
Zavance as a yearling
Moonee Valley Race 5, Quest Moonee Valley H, $40,000, 1200m, 8.30pm AEST
Morrissy (Snitzel) was at short odds on debut and the money was on the mark with the 3-year-old a runaway winner. He faces a rise in class here, but looks more than up to the challenge for Leon and Troy Corstens.
With Shane Morrissey, they went to $240,000 to secure him at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The colt’s dam Extension Of Time (Dash For Cash) was a stakes winner and runner-up in the G1 Thousand Guineas and she is a daughter of the Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter Nina Haraka (Fraar {USA}).
Morrissy as a yearling
