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 Saturday, Tony McEvoy steps out a filly on debut at Flemington off a recent jumpout win, Team Hawkes bring a talented daughter of All Too Hard back to the track and John Thompson attempts to win Australia's richest maiden with a well-bred filly.
Flemington Race 1, The Arbour Plate, $125,000, 1000m, 12:30pm AEDT
Tony McEvoy takes the covers off promising filly Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) here off a pretty impressive Werribee jumpout, where she was snagged back in the field and worked home under no pressure.
She was a $700,000 buy for her trainer at the 2018 Easter Sales, being out of stakes-placed mare Pretty Penny (Encosta De Lago), making her a half-sister to stakes-winning trio Sertorius (Galileo {Ire}), Dollar for Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Clifton Red (Sebring). Her sire Brazen Beau has the current Golden Slipper favourite Tassort.
Pretty Brazen as a yearling
Randwick Race 1, January Hcp, $125,000, 1000m, 12:55pm AEDT
Riviera (All Too Hard) resumes here for Team Hawkes having debuted with a narrow win at Sandown back in May. She had a recent trial at Randwick, finishing third, and looks set for a good 3-year-old campaign.
She cost $50,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale, out of Lonhro mare What a Treat, who was a six-time winner and from the family of G1 winner Fashions Afield (Redoute's Choice) as well as Kiss and Make Up and Rose of Danehill.
Riviera as a yearling
Gold Coast Race 1, Pacific Fair Magic Millions Mdn, $250,000, 1200m, 11:40am AEDT
This is always an intriguing race, with plenty of high-priced yearlings from 12 months ago, looking to break their duck in Australia's richest maiden. Dunbrody Power (All Too Hard) has impressed in her two starts to date for John Thompson, finishing second when well-supported in a race at Canterbury last time out. Prior to that she had two trials, meaning she has plenty of fitness coming into this.
She is the first foal to race from stakes-winner She's a Fox (Fastnet Rock), the full sister to Group 1 winner Foxwedge, which hails back to a very successful American family. She was a $600,000 purchase for Prime Thoroughbreds at the 2017 Magic Millions.
Dunbrody Power as a yearling
