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 Saturday we start out at Matamata with a Group 1 bound runner before checking out three of the more interesting 2-year-old runners at Caulfield, Doomben and Randwick.
Matamata Race 4, Fairview Motors H, $25,000, 1400m, 2.02pm NZDT, 12:02pm AEDT
A trip to Riccarton for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Duibai New Zealand 2000 Guineas will be the reward for Dawn Patrol (Dawn Approach {IRE}) should he produce another bold showing here. It’s a competitive age group line-up, but judging by his debut victory he looks up to the task.
The style of his first-up win makes the gelding look good shopping at $20,000 out of Monovale Farm’s draft at Karaka. Dawn Patrol is out of a sister to the multiple stakes winner Twinkling (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) with their dam the G1 Brisbane Cup winner Limitless (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}). It is also the family of the Group 1 winners Veyron (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Boundless (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}).
Caulfield Race 1, Listed Inglis Debutant S. $120,000, 1000m, 12:10pm AEDT
You won’t miss Utzon (NZ) on debut in this race. The spectacular white filly from first-season Windsor Park stallion Charm Spirit (Ire) impressed in her recent trial at Cranbourne and looks very well prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Yulong bought her for $120,000 at this year's Karaka Sales. She is out of The Opera House (NZ), the famously all white mare who had a colt by Shamexpress (NZ) go for $510,000 in 2017, and a filly by High Chaparral (Ire) sell for $450,000 in 2016. That filly is a winner of 2600m in Japan. The Opera House is a three-quarter sister to Might and Power.
Utzon as a yearling
Doomben Race 1, Barton's Bayside Wynnum 2yo Hcp, $70,000, 1050m, 1:12pm AEDT
Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt) makes her debut having won a recent trial by five lengths at Doomben. She looks a very speedy type and the early market indicates that she is expected to be winning.
Tony Gollan paid $270,000 for her at this year's Magic Millions. She is out of Lonhro mare Black Tulip, who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Hanks, a family that also includes successful stallion Dehere (USA).
Niedorp as a yearling
Randwick Race 1, Harrolds Victory Vein Plate, $120,000. 1000m, 12:30pm AEDT
With nine of these ten 2-year-olds debuting on a heavy track, it looks a tricky race, but Speedycom (Zebedee {GB}) impressed with his 3.8L trial win here a couple of weeks' back. This colt is the first 2yo in action for his sire, who stands at Cornerstone Stud in South Australia.
He is a half brother to Eckstein, who won a Listed race at Flemington last week, and was a $130,000 buy at this year's Magic Millions sale for Blue Sky Bloodstock.
Speedycom as a yearling
