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, the focus is on a pair of placed fillies we believe can make breakthroughs at the Seymour meeting while at the Sunshine Coast we like the prospects of a 2-year-old on debut.
Seymour Kelly’s Country Homes Maiden $26,000 1400 metres 1.35pm
Happily To Be (NZ) (Pins) will carry the colours of breeders and part-owners Waikato Stud and is a daughter of the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Merrily (NZ), who won on one occasion. She is the dam of Exuberant (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the Listed Wellesley S. at Trentham on debut. Merrily is a half-sister to the Listed Anniversary H. winner Glad (NZ) (Pins) and this is the family of the unbeaten champion sprinter Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Trained by Danny O’Brien, Happily To Be has produced a pair of runner-up finishes from her three appearances, including a last-start second on this course. The filly moves up to 1400 metres for the first time and from a good gate should get every chance in the hands of Damien Thornton.
Pins
Seymour Avenel Equine Hospital Maiden $26,000 1600 metres 2.10pm
A NZ$52,500 Karaka purchase, Sergeant Doyle (NZ) (Per Incanto) has been encouraging in her two outings to date for trainer Archie Alexander. She was a debut third at Bendigo and a month later filled the same placing at Geelong. The 3-year-old is expected to appreciate the move up to 1600 metres here and appeals as a solid each way prospect.
Sergeant Doyle is out of Kincia (NZ) (Kinjite) and while she failed to win, she is doing a fine job in the broodmare role. She has left five winners, including the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup winner Monachee (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and her sister Ciara (NZ), a multiple winner and two-time Group 2 placegetter. The family also includes the Listed winner and Group 2 performer Wage Freeze (NZ) (Sound Reason {CAN}).
Sergeant Doyle as a yearling
Sunshine Coast Oaks Hotels & Resorts 2YO $21,000 1200 metres 3.34pm
Written With Ease (Written Tycoon) has been given one trial outing by trainer Stuart Kendrick to prepare for this and looked smart in finishing second on the track earlier this month. She has drawn a handy barrier and Luke Tarrant is booked for the ride.
Purchased for $120,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Written With Ease is a half-sister to two winners and their dam At Ease (Canny Lad) was a decent race mare. She won four races, including the Listed Sheraco S. and placed a further two times at black type level. The pedigree also features the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Capital Gain (Ad Valorem {USA}).
Written With Ease as a yearling
