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 a couple of strong maiden prospects at the Kilmore meeting and a pair of 4-year-olds with decent chances at handy odds at Te Rapa.
Kilmore Carlton Draught Maiden $26,000 1100m 2.10pm
Swirl Girl (Starcraft {NZ}) was a modest $25,000 Magic Millions Coast Yearling Sale purchase and she has given early indications that it could be a tidy piece of business. Fourth on debut last season, she then finished runner-up at Pakenham before she was given a break by trainers Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra.
She is out of a half-sister to the Listed Canonbury S., winner Raceway (More Than Ready {USA}) and their dam Claws (Flying Spur) is a half-sibling to the nine-time winner and black type performer Starhere (Dehere {USA}).
Swirl Girl as a yearling
Kilmore Beraldo Coffee Maiden $26,000 1600m 2.45pm
Amicabeel (Americain {USA}) is out of a half-sister to Shotover River (NZ) (Savabeel) and Regency Horse (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), who both won 10 races and were stakes placed. They hail from the family of the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and the dual Group 2 winner Arletty (NZ) (Centaine).
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Amicabeel was placed first time out over 1400 metres and being out of a Zabeel (NZ) mare, the step up to a mile should be ideal for the filly. She has drawn the ace so should get every chanced in the hands of Jamie Kah.
Te Rapa Porritt Sand Maiden $10,000 1600m 1.54pm (NZ time)
Takeitlikeaman (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has a tricky draw to overcome, but with reasonable early luck he can offer some value in an open affair. Lightly-tried, he was unplaced last time out but wasn’t far away from the action and the booking of Opie Bosson is a major plus.
He is a son of the Beat Hollow (GB) mare Unbeatable (GB), who is a half-sister to the Listed Irish 1000 Guineas Trial winner Kotami (USA) (Shahrastani {USA}) and to the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire High Chaparral (IRE) and his brother Bear Island (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}). He won the G2 Dante S., and finished runner-up in the G1 Secretariat S.
Reliable Man
Te Rapa Langsford Maiden $10,000 1200m 3.04pm (NZ time)
Sco Mo Eagle (I Am Invincible) had support when he debuted at Taupo and he worked home well once into the clear to finish seventh. He has since been freshened and has had a trial outing to top him off for his return.
His mother Magic Eagle (NZ) (Traditionally {USA}) won three races and she is a half-sister to the dam of the black type winner Sucre (NZ) (Ishiguru {USA}). Family members include the G2 Concord H., winner Coup Ray (NZ) (Exploding Prospect {USA}) and the stakes winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Al Strada (NZ) (Perfectly Ready).
I Am Invincible
