Looking Ahead - December 24

3 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.

Today, we have sorted out a couple of likely types for the Wagga meeting and a strong maiden chance at the Werribee fixture.

Wagga Quickprint Maiden $22,000 1000 metres 1.45pm

The Chaplain (Zariz) is out of Jesse’s Miss (Street Cry {USA}), a mare who won on two occasions, and she is a half-sister to the Gr Championship S. winner Reno Belle (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}) and she was also successful at Group 3 level three times. The family has an international standing with the pedigree featuring the G1 Newmarket Middle Park S. winner Cajun (IRE) (Red Regent {IRE}) and the G2 Premio Melton winner Dream Talk (GB) (Dreams To Reality {USA}).

Trained by Gary Colvin, The Chaplain finished runner-up in his first appearance and then ran consecutive fourths in a brace of winter outings. He was then turned out and a trial win indicated his readiness to resume here.

Zariz

Wagga WDF Professional Maiden $22,000 1400 metres 2.20pm

Starskin (Star Witness) looks a filly on the improve and the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained filly makes strong appeal here. She was a strong-finishing last-start third at Albury and the step up in trip should be ideal. Jake Duffy retains the ride.

A sister to the multiple winner Legadema, Starskin was an $80,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a daughter of the unraced Leopard Skin (Tale Of The Cat {USA}). She is out of La Chasseuse (Lion Hunter), whose seven victories included two stakes successes. The family also boasts the presence of the Listed Kindergarten S. winner Vionnet (Prego {IRE}), who ran fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S.

Starskin as a yearling

Werribee Merry Xmas from Werribee Maiden $23,000 1420 metres 2.04pm

Fast And Ready (More Than Ready {USA}) was a $160,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Malua Bloodstock and is a daughter of Sorellina (Elvstroem), a half-sister to the G2 TJ Smith S. and G3 Concorde S. winner Phoenix Park (Royal Academy {USA}), whose sister Interfere was also a winner and Group placed.

Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, Fast And Ready has been taken along quietly and has showed sharp improvement since returning from a break. The 3-year-old was fourth in her seasonal debut at Pakenham and then worked home strongly to finish runner-up at Sandown. Stephen Baster retains the ride and they look more than capable of going one better in this.

Fast And Ready as a yearling