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 Thursday, a lightly-tried 2-year-old and an in-form maiden look strong chances at Wyong while a Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained youngster at Warrnambool looks worthy of serious consideration.
Wyong Race 3, 1.20pm, HMA Power Generation Maiden, $35,000, 1350m
Foxborough (Dissident) will be at cramped odds to beat her older opposition and she looks set to open her winning account and provide an anchor for multiples. The 2-year-old has been out twice and followed up a debut fourth at Hawkesbury with a strong finishing second in the Listed Fernhill S. at Randwick.
Passed in for $100,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Foxborough is a daughter of Sense Of Pride (Can) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}), who was twice successful and was a two-time stakes placegetter. She is a half-sister to the G3 Virginia Oaks winner Nellie Cashman (USA) (Mineshaft {USA}), from a well-performed North American family that also includes stakes winners Frankie R’s Winner (USA) (Roar {USA}) and Reggies Time Ex (Time To Explode {USA}).
Foxborough as a yearling
Wyong Race 4, 2.00pm, HMA Materials Maiden, $40,000, 1100m
Gorgons (Exceed And Excel) is out of Euryale (Lonhro), whose five wins included the Listed Gibson Carmichael S. and she’s a grand-daughter of the G1 Flight S. winner Danglissa (Danzero). The pedigree page also features the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unite And Conquer (Hinchinbrook) and the dual Group 3 winner Sweet Redemption (Snitzel).
The Darley-homebred Gorgons was spelled after finished a debut sixth in the spring and she was then given a series of trials before resuming at Hawkesbury. She stayed on strongly for second after racing on the pace and from an inside gate should get every chance for a breakthrough victory.
Warrnambool Race 2, 11.45am, TAB bring Pikey to the Bool, $35,000, 1200m
Navarre (Sebring) looks set to make a winning return to Warrnambool following his runner-up finish on the course last month. He was on debut and with that experience the gelding promises to go one better in the hands of Declan Bates, who handled him first time out.
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Navarre is a son of the Snitzel mare Otsanda, who is a half-sister to the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Furnaces (Exceed And Excel). The second dam Pampas Fire (Prince True {USA}) was successful in the G3 Debutante S. and her daughter Cloister (Marauding {NZ}) won the same race. It was, however, in the breeding barn that she found fame as the dam of the former champion filly and multiple Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice).
Navarre as a yearling
