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 Friday, Jamie Richards and David Ellis debut a couple of high-priced colts at Arawa Park, a daughter of Snitzel debuts for Brent Stanley at Wangaratta, while at Cranbourne, a recent trial winner graces the track for the first time for Lindsay Park.
Arawa Park, Race 5, 1:55pm NZST (11:55am AEST), NZB Insurance Mdn, $10,000, 1230m
The sales-topper from last year's NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka is down to debut at Awara Park. Lethal (Savabeel) cost owner David Ellis $1.025m, being by NZ's leading sire out of Katie Lee (NZ) (Pins). Crowned New Zealand Champion 3-year-old of her year, with victories in the G1 Thousand Guineas and the G1 Two Thousand Guineas, Katie Lee (NZ) is a half-sister to Champion 2-year-old Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire} from the stakes-winner Miss Jessie Jay (NZ) (Spectacularphantom {USA}).
Ellis also has Rakuten (NZ) (Savabeel) down to debut. He was one of the top lots out of November’s NZB Ready To Run Sale, purchased for $440,000. He is also out of a Pins mare, in his case Millililli (NZ), the unraced half-sister to Singapore stakes winner Onceuponatime (Van Nistelrooy {USA}). Rakuten's full-sister, Goodsav (NZ), has been stakes placed.
Savabeel, sire of Lethal
Wangaratta Race 2, 1:35pm AEST, Ron Stribley Transport Mdn, $23,000, 1300m
Splendid (Snitzel) makes her debut for Brent Stanley here having cost Cloud9 Thoroughbreds $500,000 from the 2017 Easter Sale. Her dam Fiesole (Fraar {USA}) is a half sister to the smart sprinting mares Girl Guide (Churchill Downs) and Gregers (Commands), a family which also includes Group 1 winner OfcourseIcan (Mossman).
Her younger full sister was bought by Godolphin and is now named Badia and having had two starts for two placings, looks promising. The yearling filly full sister sold for $350,000 at the Magic Millions in January to Toby Edmonds Racing.
Splendid as a yearling
Cranbourne Race 1, 6:30pm AEDT, Cranbourne Hyundai Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
Serene Spirit (Sebring) looks to have a bright future for Lindsay Park having won a recent trial and steps out for the first time on Friday night. Triple Crown Syndications paid just $45,000 for her at the 2017 Melbourne Premier Sale.
She's from a nice family. Her dam Beautiful Soul (Encosta De Lago) was a four-time winner on the track and a half-sister to stakes-placed More Radiant (More Than Ready {USA}). Their dam, Ravishing Choice (Redoute's Choice) was a full sister to the brilliant Amelia's Dream, out of another talented 2-year-old in Shalt Not (St Covet).
Serene Spirit as a yearling
