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, a pair of sparingly-raced 3-year-olds at the Taree meeting have caught our attention and we also take a close look at the chances of a Brad Widdup runner at Nowra.
Taree XXXX Gold Maiden $22,000 1000 metres 2.40pm
A $15,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale graduate, Black Vixen (Foxwedge) is a daughter of Juggles (Rock Of Gibraltar {IRE}), who is a half-sister to the G2 Shannon S. winner Washington Heights (Commands) and to the Listed winners Supply And Demand (Sebring), Spacecraft (Galileo {IRE}) and Phenomenons (Giant’s Causeway {IRE}) who also all placed at Group level.
Trained by Kris Lees, Black Vixen has finished fifth in both of her appearances to date and doesn’t meet an overly strong line-up here. She has a tricky draw, but should at least be out of trouble and looks a solid each-way proposition.
Black Vixen as a yearling
Taree MVRC Conference Packages H $22,000 1300 metres 5.50pm
Exdream (Dream Ahead {USA}) was a dominant last-start maiden winner off the back of two placed runs and the ease of his breakthrough success suggests he can make his mark in better company. A step up in distance also looks ideal for the 3-year-old.
The chestnut was secured for $60,000 from the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and is out of Sboog (Redoute’s Choice), who failed to win after selling for $1 million at the Sydney Easter Sale. She is a half-sister to the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Rothesay (Fastnet Rock) and the Listed Hazlett S. winner Sensei (Dream Ahead {USA}). Their second dam is the three-time Group 1 winner Canny Lass (Bletchingly).
Exdream as a yearling
Nowra Shoalhaven Zoo Maiden $22,000 1400 metres 2.20pm
A half-sister to three winners, Hush Money (Choisir) looks set to make that four for her dam Paymistress (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}). A $57,500 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase, the filly’s mother is out of the G2 Silver Shadow S. winner Cashier (Danehill {USA}), who also produced Paymistress’ G2 Royal Sovereign S. winning sister Flying Pegasus.
Hush Money is trained by Brad Widdup and has acquitted herself well so far with a third on debut last term and was fifth in her seasonal debut in December. The filly then produced her best performance when runner-up and she looks well-placed to go one better here.
