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 assess the chances of a pair of well-bred fillies at the Kensington fixture and a New Zealand-bred filly we feel can make an impact at Moonee Valley.
Kensington Twilight Racing H $50,000 1250 metres 3.10pm
Molly Malone was a $100,000 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to the multiple winner and stakes performer Spending To Win (Snitzel). They are out of Madame Trop Vite (IRE (Invincible Spirit {IRE}) and she was a smart race mare, winning the G2 Flying Childers S. and the Listed St Hugh’s S. The family also includes the European stakes winners Galtee (IRE) (Be My Guest {USA}) and Grand Prince (GER) (Prince Regent {FR}).
From the Peter and Paul Snowden barn, Molly Malone has only been out once and she showed promise with a runner-up finish at Hawkesbury. The filly has had the benefit of two lead-up trials for her return and with a bit of luck from an outside gate should be a major player.
Molly Malone pictured as a yearling
Kensington Tab.com.au Maiden Plate $50,000 1400 metres 4.25pm
Word For Word (So You Think {NZ}) had the flashing light on her when she gave a strong account on debut to run third at Warwick Farm earlier this month. Trained by Chris Waller, her fortunes will be guided from an ideal gate by James McDonald.
A $200,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, Word For Word is a daughter of Wordplay (Fastnet Rock), who won the G3 Spring S. and ran fourth G1 Thousand Guineas. She is a half-sister to the G1 BMW S. and G1 VRC Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand). The G1 Sydney Cup winner Cross Swords (Grosvenor) and the black type winner Showemup (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) also appear on the pedigree page.
Word For Word pictured as a yearling
Moonee Valley Salt & Pepper Homewares Plate $30,000 1600 metres 7.00pm
Necessitas (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) will appreciate the step up to a mile here after placing over 1400 metres at her last appearance. That was at Cranbourne where she resumed for the season and last term she also finished third over 1800 metres at Flemington.
A NZ$77,500 Karaka buy for Ellerton/Zahra Racing, the filly is out of the Yamanin Vital (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}) mare Of The Essence, who won on 10 occasions up to 2200 metres. Her dam is a half-sister to the grand performer A Gordon For Me (NZ) (Le Grand Seigneur {CAN}), whose 26 wins included two editions of the G3 White Robe Lodge H. and five Listed events.
Necessitas pictured as a yearling
