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, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace present s couple of well-bred 2-year-olds at Sandown, while Team Hawkes debut a filly at Gosford who has a wealth of back-type on her pedigree page.
Sandown Race 1, 1pm AEST, Ladbrokes Hcp, $50,000, 1000m.
Yulong paid $650,000 for Kooweerup (More Than Ready {USA}) at last year's Magic Millions and duly named her after a town south-east of Melbourne. She is the fourth foal of Group 1 winning mare Allez Wonder (Redoute's Choice) to make the track and the previous three have all been winners.
Allez Wonder won a G1 Toorak Hcp and is a half sister to Pretty Pins (Pins) as well as the dam of Group 1 winning sprinter Tivaci (High Chaparral {Ire}). Their dam is the G2 Perth Cup winner Luna Tudor (Military Plume). It’s also the family of Group 1 winning filly Amphitrite (Sebring). This filly didn’t show a lot in a recent trial but is in the right stable, with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, to make substantial improvement.
Kooweerup as a yearling
Sandown Race 2, 1:35pm AEST, Clanbrooke Racing Hcp, $50,000, 1400m.
Much of the interest in this race will be in Chenier (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}, who is headed towards the G1 Champagne S, but Staredown (Redoute's Choice) creates plenty of intrigue as well. He is out of Redaluca's Gaze (Intergaze), making him a three quarter brother to Group 1 winner Single Gaze (Not A Single Doubt) as well as stakes-winner Le Val (Snitzel).
He was bought for $400,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions by Aquis and made his debut in the G2 VRC Sires' Produce S, and while he was beaten seven lengths, has clearly shown enough for Maher and Eustace to continue his campaign in what in theory should be an easier race.
Staredown as a yearling
Gosford Race 2, 1:25pm AEST, Syngenta Provaunt Plate, $50,000, 1200m
Kahlo (Dissident) makes her debut for Team Hawkes here having performed well in a couple of recent trials, finishing third in her most recent at Warwick Farm last week. She was a $130,000 buy out of last year's Easter Sale by astute judge Alan Bell.
She is out of Spurs and Sashes (Flying Spur), the half sister to the Group-winning pair Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}) and Vivi Veloce (More Than Ready {USA}). That trio are out of Group 3 winning mare Royal Sash (Royal Academy {USA}), a family which also includes Group 1 winner Happy Trails (Good Journey {USA}).
Kahlo as a yearling
