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 Thursday, we check out a half-sister to a star spritner at Flemington, a long-awaited debut at Hawkesbury and a filly at Pakenham who looks well prepared for her first start.
Flemington Race 1, G3 Maribyrnong Plate., $150,000, 1000m, 12.15pm AEDT
Some quality debutants engaged here as well as four horses we have already seen. Art Collection (Fastnet Rock) was really quite impressive in her jumpout here last week, setting the pace then striding away late.
When you look at her pedigree, it is little wonder she is speedy. Out of Estelle Collection (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), that makes her a half to multiple G1 winning sprinter Lankan Rupee. Coolmore paid $1.4m for the dam a few years back and this is the first of her progeny they have raced.
Hawkesbury Race 2, All State Shopfitting Prov & Ctry Mdn, $35,000, 1100m, 1:15pm AEDT
Passed in as a yearling, 5-year-old Montana Thunder (Redoute's Choice) has been a long-term project for her breeders and owners at GT Park. He had a few trials as an early 3-year-old, but wasn't seen again until a recent Wyong trial where he bolted in on a soft track. He finally makes his debut here.
His dam, the stakes-placed Montana Sunset, was a half-sister to Group 2 winner Montana Flyer as well as the handy Caravaggio. The full-sister to Montana Thunder, Absaroka, won her maiden impressively in September and looks to have a considerable amount of talent.
Montana Thunder as a yearling
Pakenham Race 3, Drouin and District Community Mdn, $15,000, 1:59pm AEDT
Spensierato (Fiorente {Ire}) makes her debut for Nick Ryan off a fourth in a fairly strong trial back in September. She has been given a few jumpouts as well, the latest of which saw her miss the start slightly off an inside gate before working home to finish in the tail of the winner.
She was a $45,000 buy at the Melbourne Premier Sale out of an unraced half-sister to British Group 3 winner Membership, out of the G2 placed mare Shamisen. The 1200m might be a bit short for her first-up, but she is sure to be finishing off.
Spensierato as a yearling
