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 Thursday, we check out a half-brother to a Melbourne Cup winner making his bow at Pakenham, where a sibling to Spill The Beans also debuts, while earlier in the day at Benalla, Mike Moroney sends out a first starter with a strong staying pedigree.
Benalla Race 1, O'Halloran's Garage Doors Mdn, $23,000, 1406m, 2:30pm AEDT
Buffalo Bill (High Chaparral {Ire}) makes his debut off a recent jumpout at Flemington, where he worked home well just behind the leaders. He looks a horse on pedigree that will need distance and a bit of time and it's not surprising to see him kick things off over 1400m.
A $160,000 Melbourne Premier Sale buy, he is the first foal to race out of Runaway Princess (Royal Academy {USA}), who won up to 2200m and is a half-sister to G3 winning stayer Let's Make Adeal (Red Ransom {USA}). They are granddaughters of legendary stayer and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}).
Buffalo Bill as a yearling
Pakenham Race 2, Swear @ Spendthrift 3YO Fillies Mdn, $35,000, 1200m, 6:30pm AEDT
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young step out Kevikki (Smart Missile) after a recent trial win at Cranbourne. She was impressive that day, coming from off the pace to win with ease and clearly she has a bright future.
She was a $240,000 Easter Sale buy in 2017 and is a half-sister to the very speedy Spill the Beans (Snitzel), who now stands at Aquis as well as recent G2 Matriarch S. winner Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt). The dam Miss Dodwell (Falbrav {Ire}) is a half-sister to stakes-winners Blab and Yammer.
Kevikki as a yearling
Pakenham Race 4, Schweppes Mdn, $35,000, 1400m, 7:30pm AEDT
Grinzinger Jakkal (NZ) (Jakkalberry {GB}) brings a real staying pedigree to the racetrack being by a Melbourne Cup placegetter and being a half-brother to Melbourne Cup winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel). That also makes him a half-brother to G2 winner and stallion Guillotine (NZ).
He was a $440,000 Karaka purchase in 2017 for his trainer and has shown in his recent jumpouts that he will need a bit of ground to show his best qualities. However, it is worth noting that both his stakes-winning siblings won over this distance or shorter early in their careers.
Jakkalberry
