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 at Sandown, we take a look at a well-related first-starter and a lightly-tried filly with black type prospects, while at Doomben a 2-year-old on debut has an interesting background.
Sandown Listed Thoroughbred Club Merson Cooper S $120,000 1000m 12.25pm
Torched (Zoustar) looks to have all the right credentials – a sprinting pedigree, winning trial form, a handy gate and the Team Hawkes-prepared colt will be ridden by Dwayne Dunn, such a successful trainer-jockey combination.
The youngster was a $150,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-brother to three multiple winners. Their dam Belle Of The City (Bel Esprit) is an unraced half-sister to the Listed Blue Diamond Preview S. winner Cecconi (Encosta de Lago) and the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Stratum (Redoute’s Choice).
Torched as a yearling
Sandown Listed MRC Members Twilight Glow S $120,000 1400m 1.35pm
Jen Rules (Redoute’s Choice) has been lightly tried and was a winner last season before she was put aside. She placed in the first two starts of her current preparation before she made good ground to finish sixth at Flemington last time out. A better draw should see her position closer in the running here.
A $500,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale buy, Jen Rules is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Fate Rules who owns a perfect record at stud with all four of her foals to race having won. She is a half-sister to the G2 Caulfield Sprint H. winner Jet Spur (Flying Spur) while recent G2 Bill Stutt S. winner Leonardo Da Hinchi (Hinchinbrook) is also a member of this family.
Jen Rules as a yearling
Doomben Novotel Brisbane Airport H $75,000 1050m 12.27pm
Liam Birchley has enjoyed a good run with 2-year-olds sourced at Karaka and debut runner Neptune’s Spear (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) might continue that roll. Bought for NZ$140,000, he is a son of Hestolemyroses (Elusive Quality {USA}), who is a half-sister to the dam of American black-type winner Show Some Magic (USA) (Any Given Saturday {USA}). The pedigree also features the three-time Group 1 winner Behrens (USA) (Pleasant Colony {USA}).
Neptune’s Spear hasn’t been seen at any trials, but Birchley is a dab hand with the youngsters and Brad Stewart will take the reins.
Neptune's Spear as a yearling
