Looking Ahead - December 18

2 min read

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 are at Armidale looking at a Kris Lees filly hoping to make an impression at her second start and a winner from Melanie O'Gorman's stable aiming for his second straight win, while at Mornington, a promising John McArdle-trained sprinter resumes.

Armidale Race 3, McDonalds Armidale F&M Mdn, $22,000, 1100m, 2:35pm AEDT

Rizzoli (Shamus Award) made her debut earlier this month at Scone, finishing seventh after showing early pace and fading. The Kris Lees trained filly strikes an easier maiden this time around which on paper doesn't have the same pace and she comes back 100m which should suit her.

She is out of Noble Heir (SAF) (Kahal {GB), a Group 1 winner in South Africa, and sold for $50,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale. There is plenty of South African black type on her pedigree page.

Rizzoli pictured as a yearling

Armidale Race 5, Toohey's New Class 1 Hcp, $22,000, 1100m, 3:50pm AEDT

Policy (Exceed and Excel) was a good winner on debut at Gunnedah and can make it two from two off an inside barrier and with early pace here for jockey Luke Cumberland and trainer Melanie O'Gorman.

He was a pricey weanling buy at $350,000, who was subsequently passed in at both the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and the 2YOs in Training Sale. He is out of Doctrine (Artie Schiller {USA}), a half sister to multiple Group winning sprinter Rain Affair.

Exceed And Excel

Mornington Race 7, Mornington Autogroup Summer of Racing Bm58 Hcp, $20,000, 1000m, 4:30pm AEDT

Dulette (Epaulette) resumed here off a nice trial last month when close-up at Cranbourne, having had one win and three placings from his six starts to date. He made good progress last campaign, winning a maiden at Geelong and this looks a fairly suitable race for him.

He was a $110,000 weanling buy for Musk Creek, and he was withdrawn from a couple of yearling sales. He is out of Davala (Dalakhani {Ire}), the half-sister to Singapore stakes-winner Hughsy from a European family which has plenty of black type.

Dulette pictured as a yearling