Today, we assess the prospects of a 3-year-old making his seasonal debut at Canterbury Park where a debutant has also caught our eye and look at a Danny O’Brien representative with strong maiden hopes at Cranbourne.
Canterbury Park #Theraces H. $50,000 1250 metres 6.15pm
The well-related I Am Zain (I Am Invincible) is a son of the unraced Zyoon (Al Maher) and a half-sister to the H1 Vic Heath Cup winner and champion stallion Encosta de Lago (Fairy King {USA}). It is also the family of another champion sire and multiple Group 1 winner in Flying Spur (Danehill {USA}). Internationally, it boasts the presence of Group 1 winner and producer Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) (Danehill {USA}) and the G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Erupt (IRE) (Dubawi {IRE}) and the Argentinian Triple Crown winner Hi Happy (ARG) (Pure Prize {USA}).
Trained by Team Hawkes, I Am Zain has been sparingly raced and was spelled after he finished fourth at Flemington in June. His readiness to resume was emphasised with a barrier trial win at Canterbury last month.
I Am Invincible
Canterbury Park Autumn On Sale H. $50,000 1100 metres 7.15pm
Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) is a daughter of the Listed Reginald Allen H. winner Disputes (Manton) and a half-sister to the multiple winner Polemic (Street Cry {IRE}). The dam is a half-sister to Divorces (Domesday, successful in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude and a Group 1 placegetter, and the family of the South African Group 3 winner Karaka One (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
Trainer James Cummings has trialled Asiago twice at Warwick Farm and the filly has finished runner-up on both occasions. She has drawn well enough and will have the services of James McDonald in the saddle.
Medaglia D'Oro
Cranbourne Procon Developments Maiden $35,000 1400 metres 7.00pm
A half-brother to three winners, including the Group performer Toffee Nose (Toorak Toff), Spycraft (Starcraft {NZ}) is from the unraced Majestic Girl. She is out of a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Tuesday Joy (Carnegie {IRE}) and Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA), the dam of the outstanding mare More Joyous (More Than Ready {USA}). The G1 Vinery Stud S. winner Fenway (High Chaparral {IRE}) also features on the pedigree page.
Prepared by Danny O’Brien, Spycraft has only been out once and the chestnut acquitted himself well when third at Pakenham. He meets an even line-up here and looks to have an excellent each-way chance in the hands of Ben Allen.
Starcraft
