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 Wednesday, the siblings to stallions Sepoy and Better Than Ready step out at Rosehill, while at Sandown, a filly from a prolific stakes winning family makes her debut for Phillip Stokes.
Rosehill Race 1, Pride of Dubai Yearlings in 2019 Hcp, $50,000, 1100m, 1:25pm AEDT
There are some really nicely bred horses making their debuts here, but Navy Cross (I Am Invincible) stands out as one with an exceptional pedigree. He is out of Watchful (Danehill {USA}), making him a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner, champion 2-year-old and now Darley stallion Sepoy (Elusive Quality {USA}). The Group 2 winner Mulaazem (Dubai Destination {USA}) is another sibling.
The second dam Canny Miss was an unraced half sister to Canny Lad and Canny Lass and the dam of G1 winner Camarena, who herself left another top-flight winner in Camarilla, the dam of Guelph. It’s such a strong family and it is no surprise that this I Am Invincible went for $700,000 as yearling to his trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He has had three trials headed into his debut and has shown ability in all of them finishing second each time.
Navy Cross as a yearling
Rosehill Race 2, ATC Honours Sebring Sprint, $50,000, 1100m, 2pm AEDT
Another really strong 2-year-old races, as they all seem to be in Sydney this time of year and Sally's Day (More Than Ready {USA}) presents as a filly on potential and pedigree who should make an impression.
She is a full sister to boom young Lyndhurst Stud sire Better Than Ready, a family which also includes stakes-winners Publishing and Miss Mooney Mooney, who are siblings to her dam Sally's World (Agnes World {USA}).
This filly debuted when well supported at Canterbury back in October, and has since won two trials, the latest in emphatic fashion at Randwick.
Sally's Day as a yearling
Sandown Race 2, Le Pine Funerals Plate, $50,000, 1300m, 4:10pm AEDT
Two weeks ago Secretly Discreet's (Lonhro) half-sister Really Discreet (Helmet) came out and won impressively on debut at Sandown and the bigger sister gets her chance here. They are both from Maybe Discreet (Shamardal {USA}), who was a winner of the G1 Schweppes Oaks as well as three other stakes races.
Breeder David Peacock has had a great run with this family, with Maybe Discreet's half-sister Just Discreet (Exceed And Excel) also a stakes winner. Their dam Oh So Discreet was out of Halo Again, who produced five stakes winners herself, including She's Discreet, who left three black-type winners herself.
Lonhro
