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 Friday, we like a particularly well-related debut runner and a bargain buy shooting for a tidy purse at Scone while at Cranbourne a filly with a deep pedigree can make an impact at the first time of asking.
Scone Race 1, 12.20pm, Cressfield Stud & Horsepower H., $50,000, 1000m
The well-related Ice Shelf (Redoute’s Choice) has plenty going for him on paper and encouraging trials suggest he has been blessed with a share of the family ability. He won his 1000 metre heat at Gosford before finishing runner-up at Beaumont and with Kerrin McEvoy booked for the ride a bold debut performance is predicted.
Bred and owned by race sponsor Cressfield, Ice Shelf is a son of Adelie (Red Ransom {USA}) who is a sister to the G2 Surround S. winner Portillo, a half-sister to the G1 Galaxy H. winner Snowland (Snippets) and to his brother Snippetson, a multiple stakes winner. Ice Shelf is a first foal and his sister sold for $400,000 at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale.
The half-sister to Ice Shelf (Adelie x Redoute's Choice) - Sold for $400,000 at this year's Inglis Easter Sale
Scone Race 3, 1.30pm Inglis 2YO Challenge, $100,000, 1100m
Split (Choisir) could provide a fairytale outcome for trainer Rod Northam, who paid a meagre $2000 for the youngster at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to a winner and their dam Mycup Runneth Over (Encosta de Lago) is out of the Listed winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up La Lagune (Danehill {USA}). She is from the family of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) and her close relatives, the Group winning brothers Savvy Nature (Savabeel) and Addictive Nature.
Split finished sixth in his debut in April and earlier this month and then showed pleasing improvement to run third at Dubbo, being well-supported in the market on both occasions. Robert Thompson rode the gelding first time out and he returns to take the reins again.
Cranbourne Race 1, 6.00pm, Do It For Dolly Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
Cambridge Stud’s colours were in the winner’s circle twice at Matamata on Wednesday and further success beckons here with Nota Single Secret (Not A Single Doubt). The filly is a half-sister to the G2 Silver Slipper S. winner and sire Domesday (Red Ransom {USA}) whose progeny are being led this season by G1 Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut. Their dam Miss Victoria (Viscount) is a three-quarter sister to the European Group 1 winner and sire Xaar (Zafonic (GB) {USA}) and the international Group 1 winners Cityscape (GB) Selkirk { USA}), Close Hatches (USA) (First Defence {USA}) and Senure (USA) (Nureyev {USA}).
Nota Single Secret as a yearling - Not A Single Doubt x Miss Victoria
A $280,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Nota Single Secret is trained by Mick Price and while she hasn’t trialled, she looks worth following. The in-form Michael Dee will guide her fortunes.
