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 kick things off at Tauranga, where a $1 million filly resumes, then head to Taree where we expect a Sunny Afternoon, before we are under lights at Pakenham watching a daughter of a high quality mare embark on her 3-year-old campaign for Lloyd Kennewell.
Tauranga Race 1, Gartshore Maiden, $10,000, 1200m, 1.34pm NZDT, 11:34am AEDT
Expensive yearling Zaniah (Zoustar) showed enough last season to suggest she can run up to her rich pedigree this preparation. She finished in behind the major players in both starts and has won a trial leading into this.
The filly was a $1 million purchase at the Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale for Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock and she has obvious residual value as a half-sister to the Group-winning brothers Deep Field (Northern Meteor) and Shooting To Win. Their dam Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}) was a black type winner and is from the family of the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., winner Luna Rossa (Written Tycoon).
Zaniah as a yearling
Taree Race 1, United We Stand Maiden Plate, $22,000, 1000m, 1.25pm AEDT
Sunny Afternoon (Ad Valorem {USA}) was put aside after finishing fifth on debut at Newcastle last season and she has subsequently been a trial winner for trainer and part-owner Paul Perry. From the inside gate under rider Chad Lever she looks a decent each-way chance here.
A $34,000 buy for Perry at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, the colt’s dam Sutton Queen won nine times and was stakes placed and she is a sister to the black type winner Sutton Review (Youthful Legs {USA}). The major name in the pedigree is the former champion Singapore galloper Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}).
Sunny Afternoon as a yearling
Pakenham Race 1, Racing.com Mdn, $27,000, 1000m, 6:30pm AEDT
The pricy filly Germanotta (I Am Invincible) resumes in a maiden having debuted in a Listed 2-year-old race in Adelaide back in May. Having had a trial in Cranbourne back in early September, she has had a couple of jumpouts at Caulfield, the latest which saw her miss the start slightly before circling the field and winning with plenty in hand.
She is out of the very good sprinting mare Vormista, who was a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed. This filly was a $440,000 buy at the 2017 Magic Millions and her older half-sister Reemah (Redoute's Choice) was precocious enough to finish second in a G1 Blue Diamond S.
Germanotta as a yearling
