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, a half-brother to a recent Godolphin stakes winner steps out at Goulburn, a million dollar colt looks for a maiden win at Pakenham, while a half sister to a Group 1 winning stayer makes her debut.
Goulburn Race 3, 2:55pm AEDT, Waratah Thoroughbreds Mdn, $22,000, 1400m
Trigger (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) steps out for his second start for Godolphin in a Goulburn maiden just a few days after his younger half sister La Tene (Helmet) added some black-type to the family with a victory in the G2 Sires Produce S. at Flemington. Both are from the mare Celts (Lonhro), a Group 3 winner in her career who has also produced the stakes-placed Gaulois (Street Cry {Ire}).
The second dam Dinna Fash (Canny lad) is a half-sister to the prolific winner Appoint, with the brilliant Show County also featuring on the pedigree page.
Trigger's debut at Newcastle last month was nothing special, but he has had a trial since to tighten him up and given the improvement La Tene made through her first preparation, you’d expect him to continue to develop as the campaign evolves.
Medaglia d'Oro
Pakenham Race 1, 6pm AEDT, Sportsbet BS Responsibly Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Million-dollar colt Oceanity (Snitzel) resumes off a spell after a two-start spring campaign failed to yield a maiden win. He boasts an imposing pedigree heading into a Pakenham maiden, being a three-quarter brother to Beneteau (Redoute's Choice) out of the stakes-placed Slice of Paradise (Encosta de Lago). She is a full sister to the star filly Alinghi, who is the highlight of a pedigree page which includes plenty of black type.
Given time to develop. Oceanity has had a trial leading into this run, finishing third and it would not surprise to see him take a major step forward in this class.
Oceanity as a yearling
Pakenham Race 3, 7pm AEDT, NW Kelly Plumbing F & M Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Flag Edition (NZ) (Raise the Flag {GB}) has been given plenty of time ahead of her debut, making her bow as a 4-year-old in this 1400m maiden. When you look at her pedigree, it’s little wonder. She is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital {NZ}), from a family full of stayers, including their third dam, Auditory (NZ), a Listed winner over 2100m.
The dam Ears Carol (NZ) (Carolingian} has produced four other named foals, all winners, most of them over a mile and further.
This mare, bred by White Robe Lodge's Brian and Lorraine Anderton, has had three trials leading into her debut, winning one and placing at her most recent earlier this month. Melbourne Cup hero Michelle Payne, who beat Who Shot Thebarman home in that famous 2015 success, both trains and rides Flag Edition.
