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 focus on a pair of maiden contenders at the Musswellbrook meeting that we think are worth following and a 3-year-old at Wodonga who appeals as a winning chance for Mark Kavanagh.
Muswellbrook 1st Pride Of Dubai Yearlings H $22,000 1280 metres 3.05pm
Emanuela (Animal Kingdom {USA}) is a daughter of the Group 3-placed Miss Bellezza (Flying Spur), who is out of a half-sister to the G1 VRC Derby winner Amalfi (NZ) (Carnegie {IRE}) and to the dam of the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Antonio Lombardo (NZ) (Pins) and G3 Manion H. winner Master Of Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}). It is also the family of the inaugural Karaka Million winner Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).
Trained by Paul Messara, Emanuela put up a good showing on debut on her home track at Scone during the winter when finishing runner-up. She was then turned out and has had the benefit of three trials ahead of her resuming run.
Emanuela as a yearling
Musswellbrook Horsepower Maiden Plate $22,000 1450 metres 4.15pm
A $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Vinery Stud, Materiality (Hinchinbrook) is out of a half-sister to the former top race mare Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky), winner of four Group 1 titles, and the G3 Standish H. winner Blessum (Umatilla {NZ}). The pedigree also includes the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet {USA}).
Materiality is trained by Kris Lees and has showed steady improvement with a runner-up finish at Coffs Harbour following a debut third at Scone. She has drawn the ace and in the hands of Andrew Gibbons will get every opportunity to break her maiden.
Materiality as a yearling
Wodonga Bet365 Maiden Plate $35,000 1200 metres 12.30pm
The Mark Kavanagh-trained Helmaz (Helmet) returns here from a freshen-up and the chestnut shaped encouragingly in his first preparation. He placed in two of his three outings and was runner-up at Tatura in his final spring outing.
A half-brother to the multiple winner and Group 3 placegetter Baligari (Purrealist), Helmaz is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Littlemiss Sandown who is a daughter of the G2 Breeders’ S. winner Golden Prayer (Amen Brother {USA}). It is also the family of the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude S. and G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner Fontiton (Turffontein).
Helmet
