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.
Today, we have found a well-related debutante and a lightly-tried mare with an international background who both step out at Echuca while at Mornington we fancy the chances of a colt making his first appearance for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Echuca Race 1, 1.25pm, Hygain Maiden, $23,000, 1200m
Lijiang is a half-sister to the G2 Turffontein Colorado King S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Brazuca (Teofilo {Ire}) and the Listed York S., winner Mr Utopia (Elusive Quality {USA}). Their dam Base Paradise (Choisir) is an unraced daughter of the G2 Maribyrnong Plate and Magic Millions Classic winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester). She is a half-sister to the dam of the dual Group 3 winner Prom Queen (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) and the stakes winner Swiss Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park).
The Lindsay Park-trained filly is also from the family of the South African Group 1 performer Rich Girl (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and finished runner-up in a trial ahead of her debut. She has drawn well and will be ridden by Michael Dee.
Lijiang as a yearling
Echuca Race 2, 2.00pm, CIH Maiden Plate, $23,000, 1200m
Fatuma (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) has an interesting background and was an 80,000 euro purchase at the Deauville August Yearling Sale. Trained by Mark Young for Rosemont Stud, she was put aside after finishing in the money in both of her starts in the spring.
The 4-year-old is a daughter of Naturotopia (Fr) (Northern Park {USA}), who is a half-sister to the former champion European 2-year-old Natagora (Divine Light {Jpn), winner of the G1 Cheveley Park S. and the G1 English 1000 Guineas.
Redoute's Choice, sire of Fatuma
Mornington Race 2, 1.40pm, The Big Screen Company Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Defence Attorney (Zoustar) hasn’t been seen at the trials, but trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are shrewd operators and this colt might be worth taking a chance on.
A $140,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Aquis, his dam Kincara Miss (Fastnet Rock) was stakes placed as a 2-year-old and is a daughter of the G3 Killavulan S. winner Kincara Palace (Ire) (Fairy King {USA}). She hails from the family of the international Group 1 winner Relkino (GB) (Relko {GB}), Muhaaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Timarida (Ire) (Kalaglow {Ire}).
Defence Attorney as a yearling
