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 Thursday, a pricey and well-bred 3-year-old makes his first appearance in a Warrnambool maiden, a promising filly for Mark Newnham looks to break through at Kembla Grange, while Peter Moody is hoping for a better performance from a 4-year-old who was purchased in England.
Warrnambool Race 2, 1:30pm AEST, Harrington Design & Construction Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Chairman's List (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was a $300,000 NZB Karaka purchase for Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Pinecliff Racing, in whose red and white colours he makes his debut here. He is out of the stakes-placed mare Ardeche (NZ) (Dehere {USA}), who herself is out of the Group 1 winner Diamond Like (Danehill {USA}), the full sister to Group 1 winning pair Kempinsky and Viking Ruler.
Tavistock (NZ), sire of Chairman's List (NZ)
It’s a rich pedigree, but one which is likely to see his best come over longer distances than this in the future. He worked home well from back in the field in his recent jumpout and this looks a soft assignment, with the services on in-form jockey Linda Meech in the saddle.
Kembla Grange Race 3, 2:25pm AEST, Windang F &M Mdn Hcp, $35,000, 1000m
Super Oasis (Exceed And Excel) returns from a spell looking to break her maiden having been runner-up to an impressive horse in Sun Patch (Exceed And Excel) at her first start before not being disgraced in the G2 Sweet Embrace S. She won a recent Warwick Farm trial, so looks tuned up for this.
Super Oasis as a yearling
She was a $450,000 buy for Damien Yap at the 2018 Australian Easter Sale and is the first foal out of Puzzle (Shamardal {USA}), the half-sister to G1 All-Aged S. winner English (Encosta De Lago), out of the Group 2 winner Court (Anabaa {USA}).
Warrnambool Race 4, 2:30pm AEST, Sungold Milk Mdn, $35,000, 2000m
Cernan (GB) (Sea The Moon {GB}) was the most expensive out the five horses that Peter Moody purchased out of the 2016 Tattersalls December Foal Sale. He cost at 32,000 guineas and is a half-brother to six winners, including the Listed winner Azabara (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
He made his debut at Wangaratta over 1590m and while he was well in the market off a nice trial at Cranbourne, he lacked the turn of foot, working home ok into fifth. He steps up to 2000m here which looks a lot more suitable and, again, has Meech in the saddle.
