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 Saturday, we take a closer look at a pair of maiden prospects at the Kembla Grange meeting and also a debut winner at Doomben from the family of a former top-line sprinter.
Kembla Grange Race 2, 12.54pm, Cape Helles Maiden, $35,000,1500m
Killer Instinct (Animal Kingdom {USA}) was a $320,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is the first foal to the races for Sammy’s Girl (More Than Ready {USA}). She is a half-sister to the G2 Tea Rose S. winner Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}) with their dam the outstanding Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice), winner of three Group 1 events and the champion filly of her year.
Trained by John O’Shea, Killer Instinct didn’t quite live up to her name during her first preparation, but performed creditably nevertheless. The filly was in the money in all three starts and finished runner-up in each of her last two appearances. She is fresh-up and has trialled so will be ready to make her presence felt under rider Shaun Guymer.
Killer Instinct as a yearling
Kembla Grange Race 4, 2.04pm, Charge of Beersheeba Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Cock Match (Zoffany {Ire}) will appreciate a drop back in grade here after finishing out of the money in the Wellington Boot. A better guide is his previous runner-up finish at Warwick Farm and his race day experience should stand him in good stead.
The colt is a son of Danish Dollar (King Of Danes) who is a half-sister to the Listed Dermody S. winner and Group performer Morgan Dollar (Planchet). Their dam Sapphire Flash (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a half-sister to the former Australian and New Zealand Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways {GB}).
Cock Match as a yearling
Doomben Race 8, 3.47pm, Listed Ray White Princess S., $125,000, 1615m
Shahzade (Sebring) was an impressive debut winner at Pakenham last month from Michael Kent’s stable, winning by a good margin and has since transferred to David Vandyke’s Sunshine Coast team. The filly faces a stiff rise in class, but the ease of her first-up win backed by a strong pedigree suggests she might be one to follow.
She is a daughter of the Listed Schweppervescence S. winner Maloose (Redoute’s Choice) who is a half-sister to the G1 South Australian Derby runner-up Classic de Lago (Encosta de Lago). Their dam is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner and former champion sprinter Isca (Rory’s Jester) and the G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Star Alight (Kenmare {Fr}). It is also the family of the G3 Grand Prix S. winner and Group 1 performer Kutchinsky (Anabaa {USA}).
Sebring, sire of Shahzade
