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 Sunday, we like the chances at Wagga of a lightly-tried maiden prospect and a well-related filly on debut while at Pakenham a Robbie Griffiths-trained filly has caught our attention.
Wagga Race 1, 12.05pm, John Clark Maiden, $22,000, 1200m
Dark Star (Star Witness) is making a fresh start here and should be worth following after a brief first preparation. The 3-year-old was put aside after she closed late for third at the Sapphire Coast and will meet a modest line-up on her return.
A half-sister to five winners, Dark Star’s dam Dark Tzarina (USA) (Rollicking {USA}) is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Mobile Link (Is It True {USA}) and Papillon (Old Spice) and his sister Society Miss was a Listed winner.
Wagga Race 4, 2.50pm, Magic Albert @ Kooringal H., $22,000, 1200m
Alasaayel (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) is the first foal to race for Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}) and she was a capable mare winning two races, including the Listed Merson Cooper S. and placed three times at Group 3 level as a 2-year-old. She is a half-sister to the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Khulasaa (Epaulette). Their dam is Taamer (NZ) (General Nediym) and she was successful three times as a juvenile so it is a family that comes to hand early.
Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Alasaayel has also showed signs of precocity and won her only trial outing at Benalla last month. The filly has drawn well and will be partnered by Jordan Mallyon.
Medaglia d'Oro, sire of Alasaayel
Pakenham Race 6, XXXX Gold H., $35,000, 1000m
Absolemm (Pierro) was a $200,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale buy and showed an early return on that investment when she was successful on debut on this course in the spring. It all went wrong next time out when unplaced at Ballarat and she was spelled. She has trialled well ahead of her return and looks a filly worth following.
She is out of Nothin But A Dream (USA) (First Defence {USA}), whose stakes winning dam Darling Alice (USA) (Northern Flagship {USA}) is a half-sister to the G2 San Vicente S. winner Afleetaffair (USA) (Afleet {USA}). It is a family that has made an impact in Australia through the multiple Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and his half-brother Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock), also a top-flight winner.
Absolemm pictured as a yearling
