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 have sorted out a pair of likely contenders at the Gosford meeting while a Kiwi-bred at Kyneton looks on the verge of a breakthrough victory.
Gosford Ladies’ Day 28th December Maiden $35,000 1100 metres 1.15pm
Nivalis (Exceed And Excel) has come back well this preparation and the filly has a gilt-edged opportunity here to win for the first time. She opened her 3-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish at Newcastle and return there again last month for another second placing. She will represent the successful James Cummings-Glyn Schofield combination.
She is out of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Sastruga, whose dam is a sister to the dam of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Vancouver (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and the G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Juste Momente (Giant’s Causeway {USA}). Their mother Skating (At Talaq {USA}) was a two-time Group 1 winner.
Exceed And Excel
Gosford Vital Hospitality Maiden $35,000 1100 metres 3.40pm
Montalis (More Than Ready {USA}) boasts an international background and her dam Frontalis (Redoute’s Choice) is out of a three-quarter sister to the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe placegetter Sagara (USA) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}). The family also features the multiple Group 1 winner and successful stallion Spinning World (USA) (Nureyev {USA}).
Trained by Team Hawkes and to be ridden Tommy Berry, Montalis finished sixth on debut at Newcastle where she drew a wide gate over 900 metres. She has a much more suitable barrier in this 1100 metre maiden and a good showing is expected.
Montalis as a yearling
Kyneton bet365 Maiden Plate $26,000 1.30pm
Kaipaki (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) is first-up here and on debut last season he finished third and was then spelled after an unplaced run behind Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who subsequently added two Listed wins to his unbeaten record. Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace haven’t trialled the colt and are dab hands at getting the best out of their horses in fresh states.
The 3-year-old is out of a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Captive (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}). The pedigree also features the G1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic winner Culminate (NZ) (Elnadim {USA}) and the G1 Levin Classic winner Eileen Dubh (NZ) (Storm Creek {USA}).
Kaipaki as a yearling
