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 take a closer look at the chances of a pair of 3-year-olds at the Geelong meeting and, likewise, two lightly-tried prospects at Gosford.
Geelong bet365 Super Vobis Maiden $26,000 2200m 1.30pm
The Matt Cumani-trained Zancada (New Approach {IRE}) has fewer convictions than any of his rivals with a placing from four only appearances. While his latest effort was an unplaced run, he wasn’t beaten out of sight and the winner Grinzinger Star (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) came out to finish third at his next start in the Listed Geelong Classic.
Zancada is out of the Testa Rossa mare Titian Silk, who is a half-sister to the G3 Sandown S., winner Nine Tales (Tale Of The Cat {USA}). A staying bias in the pedigree sees the presences of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and the G2 Moonee Valley Oaks runner-up Tanith (Chief’s Crown {USA}).
Geelong McGrath Estate Agents Maiden $26,000 1400m 2.30pm
There’s plenty of speed evident in the pedigree of Anthony Freedman’s Miss Libertas (Artie Schiller {USA}). His dam Inthenameofliberty (Statue Of Liberty {USA} is out of a half-sister to the G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Exceedingly Good (Exceed And Excel) and to the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Common Interest (More Than Ready {USA}). The G2 Sapphire S., winner Avoid Lightning (Blevic) is another pacy family member.
Miss Libertas had made an encouraging enough start to her career with a debut third and was then sixth at Pakenham where she beat home a number of races she fronts up against again at Geelong.
Miss Libertas as a yearling
Gosford Bull Funeral Maiden Plate $40,000 1100m 1.35pm
A $72,500 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase, Vedder (Star Witness) is a half-brother to the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic winner My Emotion (Savabeel) and to the dam of the G1 Champagne S., winner Seabrook (Hinchinbrook). It is also the family of the G1 Darley Classic and G1 BTC Cup winner Malaguerra (Magnus).
Vedder won both of his trials on good going before his debut second on a heavy Warwick Farm track and better footing can see him go one better. Brenton Avdulla takes the ride on the Team Hawkes-prepared 3-year-old.
Vedder as a yearling
Gosford Paynter Dixon Maiden $35,000 1600m 2.10pm
Bring It Back (Sebring) was an expensive yearling with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott securing him for $240,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. He is out of the Listed winner No Looking Back (Redoute’s Choice) and is from the Group 1 family of Snitzerland (Snitzel) and, like Vedder, Malaguerra and Seabrook.
A respectable fifth on debut at Kembla Grange, Bring It Back then went to Canterbury where he finished third and 1600 metres looms the perfect trip for him. Adam Hyeronimus again takes the mount.
Bring It Back as a yearling
