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 Tuesday, we zero in on a pair of maiden hopes at Newcastle who are tipped to go close to opening their winning accounts while at Mornington a well-related filly resuming from a break has our attention.
Newcastle Race 1, 12.30pm, East Cessnock Bowling Club 3YO, $35,000, 1400m
Regent Street (Snitzel) is a son of the former high quality race mare Vocabulary (Encosta de Lago), who won five races including the G2 Norman Carlyon S., the G3 Rose of Kingston S. and was also twice runner-up in Group 1 company. A half-sister to stakes performer Synonym (Orpen {USA}), she has left four multiple winners.
Regent Street pictured as a yearling
A $150,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for John Harding, Regent Street trialled well before the colt finished runner-up in his Randwick debut. He was on the speed all the way and fought strongly to the post. A handy draw should enable rider Kerrin McEvoy to give the 3-year-old every opportunity to go one better.
Newcastle Race 5, 2.50pm, Focused Thinking Maiden, $35,000, 1600m
Elleofadeal (Dundeel {NZ}) finished runner-up in a Rosehill trial before she produced a bold showing for third when resuming over 1500 metres at Kembla Grange last month. She is sure to strip fitter for the outing and up to a mile seems a natural progression and one that can reap a winning reward.
Elleofadeal as a weanling
The 3-year-old is a half-sister to the five-time winner and black type performer Sir Hallowell (More Than Ready {USA}) with their dam the Group 3 placed Valda Merceda (Hennessy {USA}). She is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winning sprinter Bawalaksana (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) and Damaschino (Last Tycoon {Ire}), twice a winner at Group 3 level. She is the dam of the G3 Breeders’ S. winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Shaaheq (Redoute’s Choice).
Mornington Race 8, 4.00pm, Steller H., $35,000, 1000m
Delusions (So You Think {NZ}) was a debut winner in the spring and was then spelled after one more appearance. She was pitched into a competitive Saturday race at Caulfield and that proved a step too far. This is a major drop back in grade for the 3-year-old, who was placed at the trials recently and a little luck from a wide gate could see the filly reproduce her winning first-up form.
So You Think, sire of Delusions
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Delusions is a daughter of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Kissame Mucho, a half-sister to the stakes winners Frespanol (Choisir) and Essington (Redoute’s Choice). Their dam Besame Mucho won the G3 Research S. and is a sister to the Group 3 winner and Group 1 performer Gold Lottey.
