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 Sunday, we take a look at a couple of first starters at Sale, one from the Henry Dwyer yard, the other presented by Darren Weir and then check out a Frankel colt from one of Australia's best families, looking to break his maiden at the Sunshine Coast.
Sale Race 1, Carlton and United Breweries Fillies Mdn, $26,000, 1000m, 12:15pm AEDT
White Thyme (Reset) makes her debut for Henry Dwyer here and based on her recent trial should make a good account of herself. She jumped well in that trial at Tatura, before taking a sit and not having a lot of room to stretch out in the final stages, finishing on the heels of the first two horses.
She boasts plenty of speed in her pedigree, being out of former top NZ sprinter Pay My Bail (NZ) (Justice Prevails), making her a full sister to Listed winner White Sage. She was a $180,000 buy for her trainer at the 2017 Easter Sales.
White Thyme as a yearling
Sale Race 2, Monacellars Wine and Spirits Mdn, $26,000, 1100m, 12:50pm AEDT
Darren Weir gives Destined To Boom (Spirit of Boom) his debut in what looks a relatively winnable maiden for jockey John Allen. We couldn’t find any recent jumpout vision of this colt, but you’d expect him to be reasonably forward heading into this race.
He was a $57,500 buy for Weir and the Roll the Dice Syndicate at the 2017 MM Adelaide Sale and is out of a quality family. His dam Shaft's Destiny (Shaft) is a half sister to stakes-placed Ajeeb as well as Lea Tonde, the dam of Group 3 winner Danesiri. Her dam is Jade-Amanda (Grosvenor {NZ}), making this colt a relative of Hong Kong star Silent Witness as well as Sister Madly and Empress Rock.
Spirit Of Boom
Sunshine Coast Race 3, Australis Safety Rail Mdn, $21,000, 1400m, 3:40pm AEDT
Frankel Star (Frankel {GB}) was a bit disappointing on debut at Beaudesert but should find the 1400m at the Sunshine Coat far more suitable than that first-up assignment over 1300m. He was under pressure a fair way out in that race, finishing five lengths from the winner in fourth but around a tricky track at his first start can be forgiven.
It won't surprise that he was a $500,000 buy given his pedigree. Not only is he by Frankel, but his dam Deedra (Zabeel {NZ}) has already produced the Group 1 winning filly Fenway and the Blue Gum Farm stallion War. Deedra is out of the legendary producer Joie Denise (Danehill {USA}), making her a half sister to the champions Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy, who of course produced the star performer More Joyous.
Frankel Star
