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 in on a pair of maiden prospects who make their second career appearances at Hawkesbury, while we also take a closer look at a well-credentialed debutant at Bendigo.
Hawkesbury Robert Oatley Maiden $40,000 1000m 2.00pm
Swelt (Sizzling) has only had one start and he gave an excellent account of himself when he finished third at Warwick Farm in March behind the subsequent Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar). With that form line and a couple of recent trial outings, he should be hard to roll on his return.
He is out of Midnight Dancer (Danehill Dancer {IRE}), a daughter of the four-time Listed winner Lady Fidelia (Snippets), who is a sister to the G1 Flight S., placegetter Kimillsy. She is also a half-sister to the Group performer Delyara (Belong To Me {USA}).
Swelt as a yearling
Hawkesbury tab.com.au Maiden 1300m $40,000 1300m 3.45pm
The 4-year-old Wokurna (Snitzel), who failed to meet his $200,000 reserve at the Inglis Easter Sale, is a half-brother to stablemate and G2 Theo Marks S., and G2 Moreton Cup winner Deploy (Fastnet Rock), their dam being Crimson Reign (Red Ransom {USA}). She won five times, including the G3 Kindergarten S.
Wokurna didn’t disgrace himself on debut earlier last month when finishing fourth on rain-affected going and he had previously been a trial winner on a good Rosehill track. He was ridden on both occasions by Josh Parr, who takes the reins again.
Wokurna as a yearling
Bendigo No Fuss Event Hire Maiden $26,000 1000m 2.45pm
The in-form Tony McEvoy stable will take the covers off Southern Missile (Smart Missile) here following a pair of promising trial placings. He has drawn well enough to give a grand sight in the hands of Andrew Malyon.
Southern Missile is a son of the G3 Champagne S. winner Antarctic Miss (NZ) (Ustinov), who also ran third in the G1 Thousand Guineas. She is a half-sister to the black-type winner Ballymore Lass (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), while the G2 Sedgwick Classic S. winner Miss Tessla (Crested Wave {USA}) is another talented member of the family.
