Looking Ahead - April 6

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.

On Saturday, a daughter of a Group 1 winning mare debuts in stakes company at Randwick, Team Hawkes step out a Per Incanto (USA) youngster at Caulfield and a Tony McEvoy filly from a nice family returns to the track in Adelaide.

Randwick Race 1, 12:10pm AEDT, G3 Widden Kindergarten S, $200,000, 1100m

Libertini (I Am Invincible) kicks off her career in stakes company which may give an indication of the standing she is held in by trainer Anthony Cummings. A homebred by Gerry Harvey, she is the third foal of Group 1 winning mare Aloha (Encosta de Lago). The other two, Hualalai (Street Cry {Ire}) and Sawaiki (More Than Ready {USA}) are already winners.

Aloha is out of black-type winning mare Tennessee Midnight (Danehill {USA}), the half-sister to Group 1 winner Malaguerra (Magnus) who also produced Midnight Rock (Rory's Jester), the dam of G3 winner My Emotion (NZ) (Savabeel) and the grand dam of G1 winner Seabrook (Hinchinbrook).

Libertini was third in a recent trial at Randwick.

I Am Invincible, sire of Libertini

Caulfield Race 1, 12:25pm AEDT, Thomas North Hcp, $125,000, 1100m

Peak (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA} makes his debut for Team Hawkes in what looks a winnable race at Caulfield. His Little Avondale-based sire has had a good season with a couple of Group 1 winners on the resume in NZ. This colt was a rare offering by Per Incanto at the 2018 Magic Millions, selling for $150,000 to his trainers.

He is out of Listed winning mare A Chance To Dream (Volksraad {GB}), who is a half-sister to stakes winning pair Kiss Me Ketut (Danroad) and Fast Love (Fastnet Rock). It looks to be a staying pedigree on that side with the likes of G1 Epsom Oaks winners Midway Lady (USA) and Eswarah (GB) on the page.

But he certainly appeared not to lack any speed when winning a recent Flemington jumpout.

Peak as a yearling

Morphettville Parks Race 1, 1:11pm AEDT, David Ward's 50th Hcp, $100,000, 1000m

Troodles (Star Witness) showed enough in her first campaign to think she can break through for her first win here. She finished third on debut at this track before contesting a top-quality early 2-year-old race at Moonee Valley, where she faded to finish 10th before being spelled.

She was a $75,000 purchase from last year's Inglis Classic Sale from Varella (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), the half-sister to Group 1 winner In Top Swing (Beautiful Crown {USA}) as well as stakes-placed Bella Sorellastra (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Bella Inez (Beautiful Crown {USA}), who produced the stakes-winning pair Hallowell Belle (Starcraft {NZ}) and Fuddle Dee Duddle (Red Ransom {USA}).

Troodles as a yearling