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 two well-related maiden contenders at the Hawkesbury meeting and then at Tatura we’ve found a debutant with a rich pedigree to back her claims.
Hawkesbury Newoz Concreting Maiden $35,000 1500 metres 2.20pm
Emerald Earth (Pierro) is a half-sister to the G3 Nivison S. and Listed Denise’s Joy S. winner Diamond Earth (Choisir) with their mother Face Of The Earth (Strategic) successful on two occasions and she was stakes placed. The dam is a half-sister to the G2 Edward Manifold S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Bring Me Roses and to the G3 Bobbie Lewis winner Face Value (Red Ransom {USA}).
Trained by Anthony and Edward Cummings, Emerald Earth didn’t show a lot last season, but with the benefit of a break she ran encouragingly first time out this term to finish runner-up at Newcastle over 1200 metres. She is bred to go further and looks a strong each-way prospect.
Pierro
Hawkesbury Refrigeration & Air Con Maiden $35,000 1300 metres 3.35pm
If Cajun Music (Bernardini {USA}) has inherited his share of the family ability then he will be giving a bold account of himself in this. The gelding is a son of the former talented race mare Zydeco (Zabeel), who won the G2 Wakeful S. and placed in the G1 VRC Oaks and the G1 Thousand Guineas. Her mother All Time High (Flying Spur) won the G1 Thousand Guineas while the four-time elite level winner All Our Mob (What A Guest {IRE}) also features in the pedigree.
Trained by James Cummings and the mount of Glyn Schofield, Cajun Music was a quiet fourth in his latest trial and with a touch of early luck from a tricky gate the 3-year-old can be a player.
Bernardini
Tatura Rushton Park Maiden Plate $23,000 1000 metres 1.33pm
Trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig know the family of Sovereign Diamond (All Too Hard) well having trained her half-brother Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago) to win five races, including the G2 Stutt S. and he ran second in the G1 Toorak H. Their dam Sovereign Duchess (Last Tycoon {IRE}) is a half-sister to the gifted Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), winner of four Group 1 races and a multiple placegetter at the highest level.
Sovereign Diamond finished runner-up in her only trial on the course and she will be ridden by Cory Parish. On blood alone, the 3-year-old is worth a close look.
All Too Hard
