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 are concentrating all our efforts on the Kilmore meeting where we are expecting a filly to make an impact first time out and two races later like the chances of her stablemate going one better on a debut second. Lastly, we are tipping further success for a 3-year-old who looks to have a bright staying future.
Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, Kingsgate Village 3YO, $35,000, 1100m
Ardala (Teofilo {Ire}) is on debut and from the stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace who have the happy knack of enjoying success with their first-starters and that may well be the case again here. The filly has drawn perfectly and jockey Ben Allen should be able to give her a cosy run.
Ardala as a yearling
A $72,000 purchase for Maher out of Devon Park Stud’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale draft, Ardala is the first foal of Ready To Fight (More Than Ready {USA}), who was a sprint winner and black-type placegetter. She is a half-sister to the G3 Rewards S. winner Red Bomber (Red Ransom {USA}) and the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}) and the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).
Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 3, 2.45pm AEDT, Carlton Draught Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Maher and Eustace also look to have a strong winning chance here with Lorente (Fiorente {Ire}), who impressed the first time we saw him. He finished runner-up on this course over 1450 metres and found the line strongly enough to suggest he can go one better over a mile.
Fiorente (Ire), sire of Lorente | Standing at Sun Stud
Lorente is a son of Lonhruge (Lonhro), a four-time winner who boasts a strong international pedigree. She is out of a sister to the French black-type winner Nalani (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and a half-sister to the G2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay S. winner Affidavit (USA) (Affirmed {USA}). The G2 Prix de Sandringham winner and G1 Keeneland Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup runner-up Maiden Tower (GB) (Groom Dancer {USA}) also appears on the page.
Bet365 Kilmore Park, Race 4, 3.25pm AEDT, Hanson Cleaning Services H., $35,000, 2000m
Exalted Crown (Hallowed Crown) has emerged as a decent staying prospect and placed in his first three starts before the 3-year-old stepped up to a middle distance at Cranbourne earlier this month. He made the most of the opportunity with a decisive victory and promises to add to his record in this.
Hallowed Crown, sire of Exalted Crown | Standing at Twin Hills Stud
Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Exalted Crown’s dam Northroza (Northern Meteor) was successful on three occasions. She is out of a half-sister to the two-time Group 2 winner and dual G1 Caulfield Cup placegetter Grey Song (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) and to the G3 Jansz S. winner Tonz More Fun (More Than Ready {USA}).
