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, there are a couple of maiden contenders at Canterbury Park that we are taking a closer look at and a Darren Weir-trained filly at Cranbourne that we like the chances of.
Canterbury Park #Theraces H $50,000 1200 metres 6.15pm
The proven buying combination of trainer Chris Waller and agent Guy Mulcaster went to $400,000 to secure Zouriana (Zoustar) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year. The filly is a daughter of the winning Noverre (USA) mare French Penn, who is the mother of the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas winner Cornell (Elusive Quality {USA}). The dam is also a half-sister to the Listed Ascot Rous S. winner Intense Romance (USA) (Intense Focus {USA}) and the family further includes the G3 Procyon S. winner Toshi Candy (JPN) (Bubble Gum Fellow {JPN}).
Zouriana has been given two trials to prepare for her debut and finished an encouraging second at Rosehill earlier this month behind a promising type in Amercement (Lonhro). James McDonald will have the ride.
Zouriana as a yearling
Canterbury Park Friday Night Racing H $50,000 1100 metres 6.45pm
Bucephalus (Redoute’s Choice) is out of the former smart mare Miss Stellabelle (Dehere), who won three races including the G3 Champagne S. and the Listed Mona Lisa S. and was a multiple Group placegetter. She is out of the unraced Spinning World (USA) mare Sam’s Belle, who is a half-sister to the five-time Group 3 winning sprinter Here De Angels (Dehere {USA}).
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Bucephalus has been seen out at the trials three times and was a winner back in July before a break. He recently finished third in a heat at Rosehill. Tommy Berry will guide the colt’s fortunes from a handy barrier.
Redoute's Choice
Cranbourne Procon Developments Maiden $35,000 1400 metres 7.30pm
Arctic Shock (NZ) (Shocking) gave a good account of herself in her first race day appearance when she made ground to finish third over 1200 metres at Mornington on New Year’s Day. The extra distance should suit the filly and Ben Allen’s claim is another plus.
A $NZ65,000 purchase at Karaka for Ontrack Thoroughbreds, the 3-year-old’s dam Art Beat (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) was a capable mare whose nine wins featured the G3 Winter Cup and the Listed Tauranga Classic. She comes from a well-performed New Zealand family and is a half-sister to the G3 Manawatu Cup winner and G3 Trentham S. winner Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) and stakes placegetter Smartly (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous).
