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, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace take a couple of well-related 3-year-olds to Hamilton looking to break their maidens, while at Scone, an Arrowfield-bred debutant steps out looking to kick things off with a win.
Hamilton Race 1, Ace Radio Super Vobis Mdn, $23,000, 2200m, 1:30pm AEDT
Mandayana (Zoustar) should be breaking through for a much-deserved maiden win here having been placed third at her last three starts. Last time out she was beaten 3.5l at Cranbourne, but the rise in distance of 600m from that run should only play to her advantage here.
She was a $400,000 Magic Millions buy at the 2017 sale for her trainers out of the French mare Mandawara (Daylami {Fr)), the half-sister to G1 Australian Cup winner Manighar as well as Minatlya. She is bred to run the distance and should dominate against the class of horse she finds here.
Mandayana pictured as a yearling
Hamilton Race 3, bet365 Super Vobis 3yo Mdn, $23,000, 1200m, 2:30pm AEDT
Another Maher and Eustace 3-year-old stands out in this race in Royal Performance (Camelot {GB)), who is from a famous Australian staying family. He is a half brother to Let's Make Adeal, and is also closely related to Ustinov and Outback Joe. His second dam is none other than the Melbourne, Caulfield and Australian Cup winning mare Let's Elope.
Being by Camelot out of Let’s Elope's family, you’d expect him to stay but he did win a recent 800m trial, so is clearly not devoid of speed.
Royal Performance pictured as a yearling
Scone Race 3, Yalumba Wines Mdn, $22,000, 1200m, 2:35pm AEDT
There are a number of first starters in this maiden, but Free Rider (Animal Kingdom) looks the most interesting on pedigree. He is out of the mare Forward Thinking (Charge Forward), the half-sister to stakes-winners Colorado Claire and Moonovermanhattan, who has produced two winners to the track already.
Free Rider has had two trials to prepare him for his first start, the latest a third behind Hit The Target, who debuted himself with a placing at Muswellbrook last week.
Animal Kingdom
