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 rate the chances of two lightly-raced maiden hopes at Sale and focus on a 2-year-old colt with a stallion’s pedigree who makes his second appearance at the Matamata meeting.
Sale Laurels Function Centre Maiden $35,000 2200 metres 11.00am
This staying trip fits in ideally with the pedigree of Sir Pellias (Camelot {GB}), who is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Champagne Crystal. Her dam is a half-sister to the G3 Gordon Richards S. winner Scribe (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and his brother Northern Hal, who won over a middle distance at Listed level in Germany. Another headline act in the family is the G1 Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq (USA) (Roberto {USA}).
Trained by Anthony Freedman, Sir Pellias has been out three times for a pair of third placings, the last of them at Moe. The 3-year-old looks a dead-set stayer and against a field of moderate quality he will get few better opportunities to post that breakthrough victory.
Sale Carlton Draught Maiden $35,000 1100 metres 11.30am
The $90,000 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale purchase Colliver (Bel Esprit) brings a tidy pedigree to the table here as a half-brother to the prolific Periduki (Perugino {USA), who won 25 times including success in the Listed Matrice S. and was Group 3 placed. There is also an international flavour in the family, which features the Longchamp stakes winner Ghyraan (IRE) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}).
The Lindsay Park-trained Colliver made his only appearance during the winter and turned in a solid effort to finish fourth at Bendigo when well-supported. He hasn’t trialled ahead of his return, but the stable has a good first-up strike rate with their runners and this 3-year-old should provide Luke Nolen with a fine ride.
Mega Miss pictured as a yearling
Matamata Paper Plus 2YO $10,000 1200 metres 2.34pm (NZ time)
On pedigree and performance, Killin (Snitzel) is clearly the horse to beat here. The $340,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase is a half-brother to four winners, including the Listed Anniversary H. winner Glad (NZ) (Pins). Their dam McHappy (Rory’s Jester) is a half-sister to the G2 QTC Cup winner Scandanavia (Snippets), who produced the Group winners and sires Magnus (Flying Spur) and Wilander (Exceed And Excel) and the family of the mighty Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Trained by Stephen Marsh, Killin ran up to his illustrious background on debut when runner-up in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. He was beaten by Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) who franked that form when second in the Karaka Million. Jason Waddell takes the ride again and from a handy gate can go one better.
