Looking Ahead - May 1

3 min read

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, a lightly-tried colt and a 3-year-old on debut at Warwick Farm look a pair to follow while at Warrnambool we like the chances of a half-brother to a Group 1 winner looking to break his maiden.

Warwick Farm Race 1, 12.45pm, Casino Prince @ Vinery H., $50,000, 1200m

Hulk (I Am Invincible) is a brother to the G1 William Reid S. winner Hellbent and was a $260,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase. His dam Volkaspray (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) was successful twice and from the family of the dual Group 1 winner Viadana (NZ) (Towkay) and the Group winners Singing Star (NZ) (Danasinga) and Miss Selby (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who also ran second in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.

Trained by Chris Waller, Hulk made his first appearance at Moonee Valley in January and finished runner-up behind Lankan Star (Nicconi), who two starts later was second in the G1 Blue Diamond S. The colt was then spelled after an unplaced run in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and has trialled ahead of his return.

Hulk as a yearling

Warwick Farm Race 3, 1.55pm, Events By ATC Plate, $50,000, 1100m

Embracer (Sebring) was put aside after trialling before Christmas and the chestnut has returned to win consecutive heats at Randwick ahead of his first appearance. He is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and the $280,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase has a strong pedigree to back his claims.

He is a half-brother to the dual Group 1 winner Star Witness (Starcraft {NZ}), the two-time Group 3 winner Nostradamus (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and a brother to the G1 Champagne S. placegetter Lady Lupino. Their dam Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter) won at Group 3 level and she is a sibling to the G2 Surround S. winner Chinchilla Rose and the G2 Ascot Vale S. winner Ferocity.

Embracer as a yearling

Warrnambool Race 2, 11.50am, Warrnambool Bottle-O 3YO Plate, $35,000, 1700m

El Vincitore (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) is a half-brother to the G1 WATC Derby winner Grand Journey (Good Journey {USA}), the Listed Fashion S. winner Proliferate (More Than Ready {USA}) and to the dam of the G1 Galaxy H. winner Griante (Good Journey {USA}). The 3-year-old’s dam Grand Prospect is also a half-sister to the G3 Tesio St. winner Joy Of Flight (Flying Spur).

A $150,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, El Vincitore improved on a debut sixth to finish runner-up over 1400 metres at Geelong. John Allen takes the ride again for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and the gelding looks ideally-suited to the step up to 1700 metres.

El Vincitore as a yearling