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 Friday, we head to Terang for a filly out of a Group 1 winner, then to Hawkesbury for a half-sister to first-season sire Whittington, before we are off to the Valley to check out Savabeel's sibling.
Terang Race 3, TAC Be Races Ready Mdn, $23,000, 1:35pm AEDT
Teebo (Stryker) returns from a spell looking to break her maiden having trialled pretty well at Cranbourne a couple of weeks' back. She wasn't far away when third on debut at Cranbourne back in July and had one more run before being sent back to the paddock.
A $140,000 Melbourne Premier Sale buy, she is out of Group 1 winning mare Recurring (NZ) (Pentire {NZ}), who has produced stakes-placed pair Time After Time and Coming Back as well as four other winners. Recurring is a half sister to Group 1 winner Lady Madonna as well as stakes-winner Donna's Gold.
Teebo as a yearling
Hawkesbury Race 3, Hawkesbury Gazette and Courier Mdn, $35,000, 3:10pm AEDT
Princess Siri (Exceed And Excel) debuts for John Thompson off a narrow trial defeat a couple of weeks' back which should stand her in good stead for this race. That was her fifth trial over the past 12 months and clearly it has taken some persistence to get her to the track.
Out of Listed winner Maha Chakri (Beautiful Crown), she is a half-sister to Breeders' Plate winner and Grandview Stud stallion Whittington. The chestnut filly cost $330,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Sale, with a pedigree page that also includes prolific winner Ta Ta Tatiana and Group 1 winner Volpe Veloce.
Princess Siri as a yearling
Moonee Valley Race 2, Quest Moonee Valley Mdn, $30,000, 1200m, 7.00pm AEDT
Scipio (All Too Hard) was a $250,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase for trainer Danny O’Brien and has a pedigree to be proud of. He is a half-brother to the G1 Cox Plate winner and champion sire Savabeel (Zabeel {NZ}) and the Group performer Arlington (Red Ransom {USA}). Their dam is the G1 New Zealand Oaks and G1 Australia S., winner Savannah Success (Success Express {USA}), who is a half-sister to the dam of the dual Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars).
Lightly-tried to date, Scipio was a close second at Bendigo two runs back and was then again runner-up on the same track last month. He has an awkward draw to contend with, but that can work in his favour on the tight Moonee Valley circuit with Brett Prebble to take the reins.
