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 focus on the Cranbourne night meeting where we have found three patiently-handled horses that can repay those waiting tactics.
Cranbourne Ascend Trophies 3YO Fillies’ H $27,000 1000m 6.30pm
Solar Star (Zoustar) has been freshened since last racing and trialled well ahead of her return. The Anthony Freedman-trained filly was a winner last season and a respectable sixth in the Listed Queen Adelaide S., at Morphettville.
Her mother Petty Cury (Not A Single Doubt) was a smart mare and won six races, including the G3 Darley Plate at Ellerslie and she is a daughter of the G3 Thompson H., winner Bahira (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). A NZ$190,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase, Solar Star’s third dam is the G1 Championship S., winner Conifer Bay (NZ) (Virginia Privateer {USA}).
Solar Star as a yearling
Cranbourne Goldners Horse Transport Maiden $27,000 1400m 7.00pm
Tippitywichit (Fiorente {IRE}) has showed steady improvement for Pat Carey and can cap off a bright start to his career with a breakthrough victory here. The 3-year-old was third at Mornington first time out and backed that up with a solid performance to finish runner-up at Sale.
The gelding is out of a half-sister to the G3 Coongy H., winner Fire In The Night (Danewin) and to the dam of the multiple Group 2 winner Hooked (Casino Prince), who also placed in the G1 Australian Derby and the G1 Epsom H.
Tippitywichit is by Sun Stud stallion, Fiorente
Cranbourne Highview Accounting & Financial Maiden $27,000 1500m 7.30pm
Raced by Sheikh Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Olena (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a sister to two winners with their dam Darya Ye Noor (Al Maher) out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Philidor (Chief’s Crown {USA}). More importantly, they hail from the legendary Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {IRE}).
Olena finished a sound fourth on debut last season and was then turned out by leading Caulfield trainer Mick Price. She has finished fourth in a trial to fit her for this and with Michael Dee taking the reins they look a combination to follow.
