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, Waterhouse and Bott debut a 2-year-old against the older horses at Wyong, Spieth's half-brother looks for a second win while at Pakenham a member of Makybe Diva's family look to break her maiden.
Wyong Race 4, 2:40pm AEST, Halekulani Bowling Club Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Rock Amore (Fastnet Rock) steps out for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott on debut against the older horses having performed quite well at a couple of recent trials. He was a $250,000 buy from Woodside Park for McKeever and Ferguson Bloodstock at last year's Magic Millions Sale.
He hails from a very nice family, being out of Nicamorae (More Than Ready {USA}), the half sister to Group 1 winning pair Nicconi (Bianconi {USA}) and Niconero (Danzero). Their dam, the stakes-placed Nicola Lass (Scenic {USA}), also produced another two stakes-placed horses and is a half-sister to the dam of another Group 1 winner in Zip Zip Aray (Bellotto {USA}).
Rock Amore as a yearling
Wyong Race 6, 3:50pm AEST, Jim's Mowing Central Coast & Newcastle Class 1 Hcp, $35,000, 1300m
Lucky Mission (Shamexpress) has shown plenty in his four-start career to suggest he can record a second career win here. He returned to the track with a recent fourth as favourite at Newcastle and should improve second up here.
He was a $260,000 buy at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, shortly after his half-brother Spieth (Thorn Park), was narrowly beaten in the G1 VRC Darley Classic and just before he ran second in the G1 Lightning S. His dam Stella Livia (GB) (Titus Livius {Fr}) has produced three other winners and is a half sister to German Group 1 winner Ransom O'War (Red Ransom {USA}).
Lucky Mission as a yearling
Pakenham Race 1, 6pm AEST, Racing.com 3YO Fillies Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Ametrine (All Too Hard) hails from a famous family, being a grandson of Makybe Diva (Desert King {Ire}). Still owned by Makybe's Tony Santic, she stepped out on debut with an impressive third, beaten 0.4l at Seymour recently, having won a trial before that.
Her dam La Dolce Diva (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) was unplaced in four starts. Whilst Makybe Diva's progeny are yet to set the world on fire, the extended pedigree features stakes winners such as Musket, Valkyrie Diva, La Amistad and Wales.
Ametrine as a yearling
