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, we like the chances of a couple of sparingly-raced maidens at the Pakenham meeting while at Ipswich we have found a 4-year-old from an international background we believe can post a winning strike.
Pakenham Racing.com Maiden Plate $35,000 1600 metres 6.00pm
Melody Calling (Canford Cliffs {IRE}) is a half-sister to the former quality 2-year-old Fontiton (Turffontein), who won the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude and G3 Blue Diamond Preview as well as the Inglis Banner S. Their mother Personal Ensign (Rubiton) was no slouch either and was successful in the Listed Northwood Plume S. She is from a handy black type family that includes the G3 SAJC Breeders’ S. and G2 Sires’ Produce S. winner Tequila Time (Stratum).
A $100,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale buy, Melody Calling has been taken along patiently by trainer Matt Cumani . She was a first-up fourth at Ballarat before a spell and returned to fill a similar position over 1400 metres at Warrnambool. The step up to a mile looks ideal for her to make the first winning statement of her career.
Melody Calling as a yearling
Pakenham Momentum Gaming Maiden $35,000 1200 metres 7.00pm
A wide gate did Aggression (Declaration Of War {USA}) no favours at Seymour last time out and a better guide to the filly’s chances might be her previous run for fourth, a sound effort at Kyneton. The 3-year-old has a better gate to work with here and appeals as a bright each way prospect.
Purchased by Snowden Racing for $50,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale, Aggression is a half-sister to three winners. Their dam Dalleth (Fastnet Rock) is a half-sister to the former star juvenile Merlene (Danehill {USA}), winner of the G1 Golden Slipper S., and to the G1 Newmarket H. and G1 Australia S. winner Miss Moneypenny (Brocco {USA}). Another Golden Slipper winner in Capitalist (Written Tycoon) also features in the family.
Aggression as a yearling
Ipswich Carlton Mid Maiden $21,000 1680 metres 3.35pm
An international pedigree is offered here by Zabring (Sebring), whose dam Expertise (GB) (Selkirk {USA}) is a half-sister to the G1 Keeneland Turf Mile S. winner Grand Arch (USA) (Arch {USA}) and the Listed Goodwood S. winner Fong’s Thong (USA) (Dr Fong {USA}). The family has also had an impact in this part of the world through the G1 Champagne S. winner Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}).
Zabring has been genuine in a handful of starts for trainer Kelly Schweida with three runner-up finishes. The chestnut looks to have a gilt-edged opportunity to break through here from an ideal gate for rider Mark Du Plessis.
Zabring as a yearling
