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 Monday, we head to Orange where an extended member of Sunlight's family is looking to improve from her debut while Gary Portelli steps out a promising filly second-up. We also head to Taree, where a well-bred gelding is looking for a fresh start.
Orange Race 1, Programmed Property Services Mdn, $22,000, 1280m, 2:15pm AEDT
Harrietta (Savabeel) made her debut last month at Dubbo and didn't have a lot of luck, being trapped wide and finishing 8.5l from the winner. From a better barrier here and with the benefit of that run, she can contend in what looks an easier race.
Once a $150,000 buy, she has been through a couple of stables and given time to develop. She is out of stakes-winner Causeway Queen (Giants Causeway {USA}), who is a half sister to G3 winner Solar Charged (Charge Forward), who produced star 3-year-old Sunlight (Zoustar).
Harrietta as a yearling
Taree Race 3, Taree Leagues and Sports Club Mdn, $22,000, 1250m, 3:05pm AEDT
Fresh Start (Pierro) gets exactly that when he fronts up for his first start for new trainer Craig Ritchie. He had two unplaced city runs for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott but remains with his original owners having had 12 months off the track. He has had one trial leading into this race.
A $360,000 yearling purchase, he is out of American mare Cadazzle (Malibu Moon {USA}), who is a half sister to a stakes winner out of a multiple black-type winning family.
Fresh Start as a yearling
Orange Race 3, Orange Vet Hospital Mdn, $22,000, 1400m, 3:25pm AEDT
Age of War (Snitzel) resumed with a good third at Newcastle earlier this month and would only need to take slight improvement off that run to be right in the finish here. She performed with credit in her two runs as a 2-year-old.
She was a $170,000 Magic Millions buy for Darby Racing and given she is a full sister to Group 2 winning sprinter and ill-fated stallion Time For War, that seemed a reasonable buy. The grand dam Miss Power Bird is a stakes-winning member of the family of Might and Power, Mosheen and Lucky Owners.
Age Of War as a yearling
