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 at Wyong, we take a closer look at a pair of lightly-tried performers with Group 1 pedigrees to back their claims while at Pakenham a son of Written Tycoon has caught our eye.
Wyong Race 1, 12.45pm, www.tab.com.au H., $35,000, 1000m
Walk The Runway (All Too Hard) is a half-sister to the G2 Todman S. winner Kiss And Make Up (More Than Ready {USA}) and the stakes performer Paris Match (Street Cry {Ire}). Their dam is the former Champion 2-year-old and G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice). She is from the family of this season’s joint New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) with the third dam the G1 William Reid S. winner Wrap Around (Bletchingly).
A $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Walk The Runway was a debut winner at Gosford during the summer for trainer Gary Portelli and then turned out. The 4-year-old has had two open trials to fit her for her return and while she faces a step up in grade, she will benefit from Robbie Dolan’s claim.
All Too Hard, sire of Walk The Runway
Wyong Race 5, 3.10pm, Russell May Memorial, $35,000, 1350m
Dubai Harbour (Harbour Watch {Ire}) is the first foal to race for Munyate (Johannesburg {USA}) and she boasts a deep pedigree. She is a sister to the G1 Australian Guineas winner and sire Al Maher and a three-quarter sister to the champion stallion Redoute’s Choice. It’s also the family of the top-flight winners Umatilla (Miswaki {USA}), Hurricane Sky (Star Watch), Gathering (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and the outstanding mare Shoals (Redoute’s Choice).
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Dubai Harbour was unplaced in his sole 2-year-old outing and following a spell he won both of his trials at Randwick. The gelding resumed at Hawkesbury last month where he finished a solid fifth. With natural improvement, he should be hard to hold out.
Dubai Harbour as a yearling
Pakenham Race 2, 6.30pm, H & C Media SV Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Polanco (Written Tycoon) was a $100,000 Inglis Classic Sale purchase for Shea Eden and made an encouraging debut in the spring when third before the chestnut made late ground for sixth at Cranbourne. He was then given a break and from an inside gate can make another first-up impression.
A half-brother to the stakes performer Our Exchange (Econsul {NZ}), Polanco is a son of Our Fame (Bellotto {USA}) who was successful five times and is a half-sister to the G2 SAJC Breeders’ S. winner Padre (Amen Brother {USA}). He is a three-quarter brother to the dual Group 3 winner Feeling.
Polanco as a yearling
