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 Monday, Sale's meeting has been rescheduled from Sunday, so we've republished the two from that meeting, while a Snitzel filly looks to make it two from two for Kris Lees.
Sale Race 1, Laurels Function Centre Maiden $35,000, 2200m, 1.30pm AEDT
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 Race 2, Carlton Draught Maiden, $35,000, 1100m, 2:00pm AEDT
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.
Colliver pictured as a yearling
Cessnock Race 7, WH Benson Bm58 Hcp, $22,000, 5:50pm AEDT
Itz Lily (Snitzel) lived up to market expectations with a tough win in a Taree maiden last time and steps up to a fairly winnable BM58 for Kris Lees and Robert Thompson. It's worth noting the big margin back to third in that debut win.
A $80,000 buy for Australian Bloodstock at the 2017 Magic Millions, she is out of Empress Lily (Zabeel), who has already produced the handy stakes-placed mare Motown Lil (Sebring). Empress Lily's dam Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon {Ire}) was a multiple Group 1 winner who also left the Group 1 placegetter Estee as well as Deputy Lil, the dam of stakes-winning sisters My Sister Lil and Ygritte, who are both by Snitzel, making them close relatives to Itz Lily.
Itz Lily pictured as a yearling
