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 Tuesday, we have a couple of likely staying types by Reliable Man and High Chaparral making their debuts at Port Macquarie and Bendigo, and a Stratum filly resuming for Danny O'Brien.
Port Macquarie Race 1, Jamie Williams Mdn, $22,000, 1506m, 1:15pm AEDT
Reliable Rose (Reliable Man {GB}) was enough of a staying prospect on paper and type that she reached a $220,000 price at the Karaka Premier Sale in 2017. She is out of a sister to a couple of very talented NZ stakes winners, Whosyourmaster and G1 NZ Oaks winner Keep The Peace.
She makes her debut here for Kris Lees over the 1506m and looks like she will relish the first-up trip over that distance. She had two trials back in June and two more recently to tune her up for this, the latest when fifth at Gosford. She did a bit wrong there and should improve heading into this.
Reliable Rose pictured as a yearling
Bendigo Race 3, No Fuss Event Hire Mdn, $26,000. 1400m, 2pm AEDT
Another likely staying prospect makes his debut at Bendigo in the Mike Moroney-trained Lofty Heights (High Chaparral {Ire}). He was a $145,000 buy at the 2016 Easter sale out of an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit.
He has been given two jumpouts at Flemington to prepare for his debut, the first one where he was put on the pace and faded late and the second one, where he was snagged back and worked home nicely. The big expanses of Bendigo should suit him and he may even find this a bit short first-up.
Lofty Heights pictured as a yearling
Bendigo Race 4, MyPunter.com Mdn, $26,000, 1600m, 2:30pm AEDT
Red Terra (Stratum) resumes here for Danny O'Brien having had one start in town as a late 2-year-old. She had a recent trial at Cranbourne, which wasn't flash, but she was trapped wide and it all looked a little new to her.
She was a $200,000 buy for her trainer at the 2017 Magic Millions out of the imported mare Remind Me (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Remind Me is out of Group 1 winning mare Montare (GB), making her a half-sister to a Group 1 winner in Journey (GB).
Red Terra pictured as a yearling
