Looking Ahead - February 23

3 min read

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 like the chances of a well-related 3-year-old at Gosford, a first-timer at Yarra Valley and a Victorian-trained colt who travels to Morphettville to make his debut.

Gosford Central Real CG & E H $35,000 1200 metres 2.52pm

Airwing (Redoute’s Choice) is a son of Jeter (Mossman), who won on four occasions and finished fourth in the G1 Schweppes Oaks. He is a three-quarter brother to the G3 Gilgai S. winner and G1 Galaxy H. runner-up Fast ‘n’ Famous, who sired three Group 1 winners at stud. Jeter’s grand-dam Alynda (Nassau) won the G1 Railway H. and produced the stakes winners Alinsky (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), Capestad (NZ) (Kaaspstad {NZ}) and Altrista (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}.

Trainer Paul Perry went to $150,000 to purchase Airwing at the Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale and the 3-year-old has made a promising start to his career. He was a trial winner before finishing third on debut and was then a decisive winner on his home track at Newcastle. Bobby El-Issa takes the ride again and they appeal as a combination set to deliver again.

Airwing pictured as a yearling

Yarra Valley V & B Construction Maiden $23,000 1200 metres 2.01pm

Al Ma Belle (Al Maher) has been given a couple of soft trials by trainer Mitchell Freedman to get the filly fit for her first up assignment. She finished fourth in the latest of them over 1000 metres at Geelong and has drawn a handy gate here to give rider Harry Coffey every chance to get the ideal run.

The 3-year-old is a daughter of What A Beauty (Octagonal {NZ}), successful three times during her racing days, and a half-sister to the G1 Robert Sangster S. and G1 Goodwood H. winner Platelet (Strategic). It is also the family of the G2 Expressway S. winner Hockney (Quest For Fame {GB}) and the Inglis Banner S. winner Dalradian (Reward For Effort).

Morphettville MyPunter.com H $45,000 1000 metres 1.26pm

A half-brother to the winner Quadcopter (Zoustar), The Executioner (More Than Ready {USA}) is a son of Pinova (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to the G2 Schillaci S. winner Star Turn (Star Witness) who has been Group 1 placed in the Lightning H., Newmarket H. and the Coolmore Stud S. They are out of the G3 Prince Of Wales S. winner Golden Delicious (Made Of Gold {USA}).

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, The Executioner hasn’t been to the trials but his trainers place their horses to best advantage and this colt can give a decent sight on debut. Jason Holder has been booked for the ride.

The Executioner pictured as a yearling