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 have found a 2-year-old with a pace-dominated pedigree and a progressive 3-year-old resuming on the Kensington track at Randwick and a well-related filly with strong prospects at Flemington.
Kensington Race 1, 11.40am, #theraces H., $125,000, 1000m
Covert Ops (I Am Invincible) gave an excellent account of himself first time out when he finished runner-up in the G3 Breeders’ Plate. He was beaten off a wide gate at his only other appearance before a break and he has won a trial at Rosehill to fit him for his return.
Trained by Gerald Ryan, Covert Ops is a son of the Group 3 winner and Group 2 placegetter Fine Bubbles (Casino Prince), a daughter of the stakes winner Pekalan (Sri Pekan {USA}). It is a family long on speed and includes this season’s G2 Todman S. winner Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) and the dual Group 1 winning sprinter In Her Time (Time Thief).
I Am Invincible, sire of Covert Ops
Kensington Race 5, 2.05pm, TAB Rewards H., $125,000, 1100m
Team Hawkes looks to have found the ideal race to kick-start a second campaign for Kapajack (Lonhro), who excelled in his first preparation with a win and a placing. He has trialled well ahead of his return and the 3-year-old looks to have plenty of upside.
A half-brother to the stakes performer Kapset (Reset), Kapajack’s dam Kapala (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is a half-sister to the G1 Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker (Reset). Deeper into the pedigree is the presence of the G1 Karrakatta Plate winner Golden Unicorn (Jevington).
Kapajack as a yearling
Flemington Race 1, 11.50am, Jack Styring Plate, $125,000, 1100m
Maqsad (Not A Single Doubt) has a pedigree to be proud of and the filly has made an encouraging start to her career for Lindsay Park and owners Shadwell Stud. She was successful on debut and then ran second in the Listed Dequetville S. at Morphettville.
A sister to the multiple winner Alnaas, Maqsad is out of Moojeh (More Than Ready {USA}) who is a half-sister to the seven-time Group 1 winner Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}). Their dam is a sister to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Drum and a half-sister to the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Anamato (Redoute’s Choice). It’s also the family of the dual Group 1 winning juvenile Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) and the G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Dealer Principal (Flying Spur).
Not A Single Doubt, sire of Maqsad
