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 Sunday, we check out a couple of horses looking to break their maidens at Hastings and a debutant at Armidale who won a trial by ten lengths.
Hastings Race 2, HB Racing Supporting Fawc Mile, $10,000, 1600m, 1.40pm NZDT, 11:40am AEDT
With a little early luck from an awkward barrier Havoc (NZ) (Pins) can break his duck for trainer Cody Cole. The gelding had a genuine excuse last time out, being caught three and four wide before wilting to finish sixth.
The lightly-tried 5-year-old is out of Ava (NZ) (Montjeu {IRE}), a half-sister to the G2 Eight Carat Classic S., winner Capella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {IRE}) with their dam the G3 Centaine S., winner Limerick (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}). It is a family that has also produced the multiple stakes winner Butch James (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
Pins
Hastings Race 4, Trinity Hill 3YO, $10,000, 1200m, 2.50pm NZDT, 12:50pm AEDT
Vita Sicilia (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has produced two encouraging trial placings ahead of her debut and trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie have a tidy strike rate with their first-up performers. The booking of the in-form Samantha Collett is another plus.
Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, the filly is out of the winning Darci Brahma (NZ) mare Siciliani who is a sister to the black type performer Deliciano (NZ). Their dam Santagostino (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway {IRE}) won the G2 Great Northern Guineas and is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Vapour Trail (NZ) (Jetball).
Reliable Man
Armidale Race 1, Rapid Catering Mdn Plate, $22,000, 1100m, 1:30pm AEDT
Principle (Star Witness) makes her debut for Stirling Osland here off a 10-length trial win at this track a couple of weeks' back. She showed any amount of pace there and was under no pressure beating her rivals. Drawn well here you’d expect her to adopt similar tactics.
She was a $50,000 buy at the 2017 Classic Sale to Hollymount Stud. Her dam, the city winner Dollhouse is a half-sister to smart sprinter Unpretentious. Her first foal, a full sister to this filly, See For Yourself, is a 14-start maiden, but the 2-year-old sister sold for $150,000 at this year's Magic Millions.
Star Witness
