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 check out a Darren Weir 3-year-old who looks ready to win at Stawell, and then drop in on Grafton, where we have a 4-year-old mare making her debut and a one-time $800,000 yearling down in class.
Stawell Race 3, bet365 Mdn, $23,000, 1600m, 2:30pm AEDT
Dunmam (Dundeel {NZ}) looks well-placed to break his maiden here, having finished close-up in both his starts so far in what looked to be harder races than this. The step up to 1600m should be entirely suitable for this Darren Weir-trained gelding.
A $110,000 yearling buy, he is out of Mamahuhu (Flying Spur), a full sister to Group 3 winner Primus. The likes of Miss Danehill, Pentastic and Miss Minden are from the same family while the third dam is a half sister to the prolific producer Joie Denise.
Grafton Race 3, Aimalac Bulsa Mdn, $22,000, 1200m, 2:35pm AEDT
Stolen Paradise (Starcraft {NZ}) makes a belated debut for trainer Sally Taylor having finished close-up just behind the placings in a recent trial. The wide barrier is some concern but she should be well-prepared for her first start.
She was a $50,000 yearling out of the unraced imported mare Paradise Lost (Ire) (Sadler's Wells {USA}), who is a sister to a host of European-black-type winners, including Affidavit, Tea Garden, Altamura and Nalani.
Grafton Race 7, Chantilly Chateau Bm58 Hcp, $22,000, 1200m, 4:55pm AEDT
Will's Bid (Fastnet Rock) has not quite lived up to his pedigree or his pricetag as yet with two wins from 15 starts, but does get back to Grafton, where he has been placed before in as weak a race as he has contested for some time.
He is a half brother to four-time G1 winner and Coolmore stallion Starspangledbanner (Choisir) and as such cost $800,000 as a yearling. His half brother by Snitzel went for even more, $900,000 at this year's Magic Millions Sale. Another sibling is the stakes-placed Gold Chant, the dam of G1 winner Amicus.
