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, a filly from a Group 1 winning mare steps out for Bjorn Baker at Scone, an expensive member of Elvstroem's family debuts at Kembla Grange, while at Doomben, a son of I Am Invincible looks for a stakes win,
Scone Race 3, 1:25pm AEST, Listed Yarraman Park Woodlands S. $140,000, 1100m
Egyptian Missile (Smart Missile) makes her debut here for Bjorn Baker, who knows the family very well. He trained this filly's half sister Egyptian Symbol (Stratum) during a fantastic career which saw her win eight races, including three at stakes level and over $1.5m in prizemoney. The handy Strathmore (Fastnet Rock) is another out of the Group 1 winning dam, Our Egyptian Raine (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}).
This filly was a $240,000 buy from the Cressfield draft at last year's Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale for her trainer. She has had one recent trial, finishing second, and while she is in the deep end here, it would not surprise to see her be competitive on debut.
Eqyptian Missile as a yearling
Kembla Grange Race 4, 1:36pm AEST, The McDonald 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m.
Owner Howard Liang has an impressive 2-year-old winner midweek and debuts another California horse, in this case, California Salto (Fastnet Rock) in a Kembla Grange maiden. She was an $800,000 Easter Sale buy for Marie Yoshida and Asian Bloodstock Services at last year's Easter Yearling Sales and on her pedigree, you can see why.
California Salto as a yearling
She is the first foal from the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Comaneci who is out of Circles of Gold (Marscay), making the dam a half-sister to Elvstroem, Haradasun as well as the dam of international star Highland Reel (Ire). She has shown enough at her two trials this campaign to suggest she can measure up in this sort of race.
Doomben Race 6, 2:30pm AEST, G2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic, $200,000, 1200m
This is a quality 2-year-old race and Garibaldi (I Am Invincible) takes our attention. He was the second most expensive buy out of last year's Classic Sale, with Boomer Bloodstock, Gollan Racing and Aquis Farm paying $475,000 for the colt from Carramar Park's draft.
Garibaldi as a yearling
He is out of Sonnenblume (Exceed and Excel), the three-quarter sister to both Group 1 winner Shinzig (Danehill {USA}) and Listed winner Strada (Danehill {USA}). He won well on debut at Eagle Farm back in February and was not far off some quality horses in the Pierro Plate at Randwick after that. He finished off well after a break at Eagle Farm last time in what looked the poorer part of the track and he should appreciate being given more room from barrier 9 here.
