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.
Today, we take a closer look at a pair of trial-winning 2-year-olds on debut at Canterbury Park while at Sale we also zero in on a juvenile who was runner-up in his first appearance and from the ace draw can go one better.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Iron Jack H., $45,000, 1250m
Zelify (Snitzel) was bought at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $260,000 and is a sister to Elle Lou, who won seven races including the G3 Aspiration H. Their dam Snipify (Snippets) was successful on three occasions and was stakes placed.
Zelify as a yearling
Snipify is a half-sister to the dam of the two-time Group 1 winner Srikandi (Dubawi {Ire}) and the South African Group 3 winner Rain Gal (Galileo {Ire}). Zelify was runner-up at the trials before she went one better at Rosehill earlier this month. Hugh Bowman rode her both times and, encouragingly, he will partner the Chris Waller-trained filly again.
Canterbury Park, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Microphone @ Darley H., $45,000, 1250m
Bowman also looks to have strong winning prospects here on Oregon (Zoustar), having won a trial aboard the colt at Randwick. Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, the youngster has a speedy pedigree and was a $700,000 Gold Coast graduate.
Oregon as a yearling
He is a son of Canyonville (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), who won four times up to 1400 metres and is a half-sister to the three-time black type winner Joan’s Best (NZ) (Gold Brose). They are out of Yankee Gold (NZ) (Western Symphony {USA}), also successful at stakes level with the G1 Western Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) also a member of the immediate family.
Sale, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Ladbrokes Back Yourself Mdn, $31,500, 1200m
I Am Mamwaazel (I Am Invincible) has two major factors in his favour here – race experience and the inside gate. He finished runner-up in his January debut at Geelong, a race the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) came out of, and is returning here following a break.
I Am Mamwaazel as a yearling
A $120,000 Gold Coast buy, the Lindsay Park-trained I Am Mamwaazel is the first foal to race for the G3 Belle of the Turf S. winner Mamwaazel (Exceed And Excel) and she is out of a half-sister to Always Divine (Snippets), who won three times as a 2-year-old including victory in the G2 Champagne S. It’s also the prolific family of Knickerbocker Kid (Opera Prince) and Roman Senator (Roman Prince {USA}), both successful at stakes level and with 44 wins between them.
