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 couple of debutants from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard, both with significant pedigrees, while a three-quarter brother to a Group 1 winner has his first start for Mick Price.
Wyong Race 2, Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service Mdn, $35,000, 1350m, 1:50pm AEDT
Classic Player (Declaration of War {USA}) steps out for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott from a family which has been very popular at the sales of late. His dam Miss Milanese (Snitzel), is a full sister to Oakleigh Girl, whose I Am Invincible colt went for a sales-topping $1.7m at January's Magic Millions. Both of those mares are out of G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}).
A $100,000 Classic sale buy, Classic Player has had six trials headed into his long-awaited debut.
Classic Player as a yearling
Wyong Race 4, Community Transport Central Coast Mdn, $35,000, 1000m, 3:05pm AEDT
Vermont's (Exceed And Excel) dam Snowdrift (Fr) (Polish Precedent {USA}) has been a terrific producer, with this gelding her second last foal from 14 to make the track. Her first foal was the Group 1 winner Snowland (Snippets) before she produced Snippetson (Snippets) who was twice a stakes winner and is now a successful stallion in his own right. The Group 2 winning Portillo (Red Ransom {USA}) is another half-sibling to this debutant from the Waterhouse and Bott yard.
He showed enough to win two recent trials, so should be forward for his debut here.
Vermont as a yearling
Pakenham Race 3, XXXX Gold Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1600m, 7pm AEDT
Cool Artie (Artie Schiller {USA}) is another first starter from a very nice family. His dam Navica (Snowland) is a half-sister to a couple of Group 1 winners in Laser Hawk (Artie Schiller {USA}) and Desert War (Desert King {Ire}), with another sibling the dam of Group 1 winner Romantic Touch (Northern Meteor) and her Group 3 winning sister Burning Passion.
He has had one trial leading into this race, finishing third at Cranbourne off a couple of recent Caulfield jumpouts.
Cool Artie as a yearling
