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 Australia Day, we head to Randwick to check out a debutant for Gai and Adrian, to Caulfield, where Shane Nichols steps out a well-related filly, and to Newcastle, where a colt from the family of Black Caviar makes his bow.
Randwick Race 1, Australian Turf Club Hcp, $125,000, 1000m, 1:20pm AEDT
A recent winner of two trials, Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) makes his debut for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in what looks a pretty hot 2-year-old race, and what is Blake Shinn's first ride back from injury.
A $150,000 buy out of the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, he is out of multiple group winner Raja Lane (Devaraja {NZ}). She has had six foals to race for five winners including Dinkum Diamond (Keep The Faith), an Adelaide Group 3 winner.
Dawn Passage as a yearling
Caulfield Race 5, Listed Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), 1000m, 3:20pm AEDT
Be Brilliant (Exceed and Excel) had a recent jumpout at Mornington and showed plenty of speed before being eased down late and finishing third. She looks an interesting prospect for Group 1-winning trainer Shane Nichols, and is owned by her breeder, Aquis Farm.
Be Brilliant did go through the sales and was knocked down for $140,000 to her trainer and James Bester. She hails from one of the better New Zealand families. Her dam Alberton Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) was a listed-winning sister to the likes of Te Akau Rose (NZ), Magic Briar (NZ) and Lady Alberton (NZ), as well as Western Star (NZ) the dam of Wyndspelle (NZ).
Be Brilliant as a yearling
Newcastle Race 2, Mates Helping Mates 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1200m, 3:24pm AEDT
Oslo (Pierro) makes his track debut for Peter and Paul Snowden off a couple of decent trials, the most recent when fourth at Rosehill at the start of the month.
Bought by James Harron for $400,000 at last year's Melbourne Premier Sale, he hails form a famous family out of the Group 2-winning 2-year-old Scandiva (Fastnet Rock), the half-sister to Group 1-winning sprinter Magnus as well as stakes winners Wilander and Arctic Flight. Another half-sibling is Helsinge, the dam of the immortal Black Caviar and her half-brother, the four-time Group 1 winner All Too Hard.
Oslo as a yearling
