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, the lights of Moonee Valley attract a well-bred filly resuming, Wagga is the setting for a Danny Williams galloper looking to break his maiden while at Pukekura, an impressive recent trial winner makes his debut.
Moonee Valley Race 3, MSC Signs H, $40,000, 1200m, 7.00pm AEDT
River Star (Sebring) makes a fresh start here for Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra and with Damian Lane in the saddle the filly looks poised to give a strong account of herself. She was a winner last season and was rested after she finished runner-up at Ballarat behind Anjana (Sepoy), who was a close fourth in the G1 Thousand Guineas earlier this month.
Out of the G3 Irwin S., and three-time Listed winner Kulgrinda (Exceed And Excel), River Star’s grand-dam is a half-sister to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky). She is the dam of the G2 Silver S., winner Headwater (Exceed And Excel).
Wagga Race 4, Riverina Signmakers Maiden, $40,000, 1200m, 3.25pm AEDT
The Danny Williams-trained Refire (Epaulette) is out of the Sadler’s Wells (USA) mare Up State (GB), a winner in France and, and is a half-brother to the multiple winner and black type performer Adironack (Lonhro). Up State is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de la Salamandre winner Lord Of Men (GB) (Groom Dancer {USA}) and the family of Major Emblem (JPN) (Daiwa Major {JPN), a two-time Group 1 winner in Japan.
Refire has only been out once and produced a bold showing to finish runner-up at Moruya. She will again be ridden by Mitchell Bell and from a handy gate looks a strong chance to go one better.
Refire as a yearling
Pukekura Race 2, Members Race a Horse for $100 Maiden, $10,000, 1100m, 3.02pm NZDT, 1:02pm AEDT
Vulcan (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has shaped promisingly at the trials for part-owner and trainer Danica Guy and looked sharp when winning a 900 metre heat at Taupo earlier this month. He was ridden by Danielle Johnson, who stays with the 3-year-old.
The gelding is a son of Mayfair (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}), who has produced four winners. She is out of the stakes-performed mare Secrecy (NZ) (Diplomatic Agent {US}), who is a half-sister to the G1 Lion Brown Sprint winner Mun Lee (NZ) (Great Wall {GB}) and also the family of the G1 Makfi Challenge S., winner Survived (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
