Looking Ahead - May 8

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, Chris Waller gives a debut to a well-related filly who looks set to make a considerable impression, Godolphin also debut a youngster from a famous South Australian family while at the Gold Coast, Greg Hickman looks to follow on from Pierata's recent success when Eleven Eleven makes his racetrack return.

Canterbury Race 1, 12:55pm AEST, The Agency Real Estate Hcp, $50,000, 1200m

Chris Waller debuts the promising filly Maddi Rocks (Fastnet Rock) in this midweek 2-year-old race off a 3.3l trial win at this track late last month. She sat outside the pace on that occasion and gave a big kick at the top of the straight before strolling to the line untouched.

She was a $325,000 Magic Millions buy for BK Racing last year and boasts a formidable pedigree being out of Savannah River (Encosta De Lago), the half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner and successful sire Savabeel (Zabeel {NZ}) as well as the G2-placed Arlington (Red Ransom {USA}). Their dam is the G1 winner Savannah Success (Success Express {USA}), while Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) also features on the pedigree page.

Canterbury Race 2, 1:30pm AEST, Pluck @ Vinery Hcp, $50,000, 1200m

Godolphin has had a stunning season with its 2-year-olds and debut two more in this race, including Secretively, the only colt by Darley sire Dawn Approach (Ire) it purchased last sale season. It went to $450,000 for this colt out of the famous South Australian 'Discreet' family bred by David Peacock and sold by Mill Park.

The colt is out of the stakes winner Very Discreet (Exceed and Excel), who has produced four winners from four to the track, including the Group 1 placegetter Naafer (Lonhro) and the promising stayer Approach Discreet, who is a full brother to this colt. Very Discreet is a half or three quarter sister to no less than four other stakes winners from a family that harks back to the brilliant producer Halo Again (Don’t Say Halo (USA), this colt's third dam.

Secretively as a yearling

Gold Coast Race 3, 1:02pm AEST, McWilliams Hazy Days QTIS 2YO Mdn, $25,000, 1200m

Greg Hickman, fresh from Pierata's (Pierro) recent Group 1 win, brings promising 2-year-old Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) back to the track. This gelding is owned by some of the same interests as the now Aquis-owned stallion was and hopes are high for his second campaign.

Eleven Eleven as a yearling

He was well supported on debut at Doomben finishing third before finishing fifth, beaten 3.25l by Sun City (Zoustar) in his bid to get into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Bred by Edinburgh Park's Ian Smith, he was a $230,000 buy for his trainer at the 2018 Magic Millions Sale, and is the first foal to the track from imported mare Smokin Alice (USA) (Smoke Glacken {USA}). Also part of her family is Mica's Pride (Bite The Bullet {USA}), the dam of G1 winners Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and Comin' Through (Fastnet Rock).