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, we have found a couple of youngsters who look well-placed on the Kensington track to improve on their first-up efforts while at Ladbrokes Park a well-related colt can make an impression on debut for Chris Waller.
Kensington Race 1, 1.25pm, Headwater @ Vinery H., $50,000, 1150m
Famous (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) was a trial winner before he was pitched in at the deep end by trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and wasn’t a factor on a testing heavy track in the G3 Pago Pago S. on debut. He takes a significant step back in class here and any improvement in underfoot conditions could see him take advantage.
A $750,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, the colt is the first foal of the two-time Group 3 winner A Time For Julia (Redoute’s Choice), who is a half-sister to the multiple South African Group 1 winner Laisserfaire (Danehill {USA}). Their dam Procrastinate (Jade Hunter {USA}) was successful in the G3 Tristarc S. and she has also produced the stakes winners and Group 1 performers Time Thief (Redoute’s Choice) and Foreplay (Danehill {USA}). It’s a rich family that gives followers of Famous further confidence.
Famous as a yearling
Kensington Race 2, 2.00pm, Events by ATC Plate, $50,000, 1300m
Pinup Miss (Al Maher) gave a strong account of herself first time out when she finished third at Gosford for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. She had previously performed well at the trials and with the benefit of race day experience she promises to be even more competitive with Blake Shinn, who won a trial on the filly, to take the ride.
The 3-year-old is a daughter of the Filante (NZ) mare Cymaron and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Yippyio (Interstellar {NZ}) and the G2 Silver Slipper S. winner and sire Iglesia (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who also ran fourth in a G1 Golden Slipper S. There is plenty of speed in the pedigree, which also includes the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Ivictory (Mossman).
Al Maher
Ladbrokes Park Race 1, 1.00pm, Ladbrokes Plate, $50,000, 1200m
Marsalis (Brazen Beau) was a $260,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Chris Waller Racing and Star Thoroughbreds and is a half-brother to the G3 Sandown S. winner Charmed Harmony (Hussonet {USA}) and the G3 Turffontein Ruffel S. winner Suyoof (Magic Albert). Their dam Magic Harmony (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was stakes placed and is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and sire Reward For Effort (Exceed And Excel).
Also from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel), Marsalis had a couple of trials before Christmas and was then freshened before returning to run a quiet third in a 900 metre heat at Rosehill. In a field made up of largely first-timers, he looks a decent each way prospect.
Marsalis as a yearling
