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 like the chances of a 3-year-old who has trialled well ahead of his debut at Warwick Farm where we also fancy a grand-daughter of a G1 Golden Slipper S. winner. At Ladbrokes Park, a lightly-raced gelding with a speedy pedigree has caught our attention.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 2.20pm AEDT, Stud & Stable Awards Plate, $50,000, 1200m
Ahso (Sebring) won a trial at Randwick during the winter before he was put aside and since returning finished runner-up at Canterbury Park without being pushed out. The 3-year-old has drawn wide (barrier eight), but that might be to his advantage with a wet track in prospect and appeals as a leading chance in the hands of Sam Clipperton.
The late Sebring, sire of Ahso
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Ahso is raced by breeder Go Bloodstock and is a half-brother to the Listed Incognitus S. winner Sangria (I Am Invincible). Their dam Quench The Thirst (Encosta De Lago) was a black-type placegetter and is a sister to the G3 South Australia Fillies’ Classic winner Precious Lorraine, dam of the Listed Laelia S. winner Meuse (Snitzel). This is most notably the family of multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Redoute’s Choice.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2.55pm AEDT, Hyland Race Colours Plate, $50,000, 1200m
Bred by TJS Bloodstock, Good Omens (So You Think {NZ}) was purchased out of Blue Gum Farm’s draft at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $360,000 by Anton Koolman Bloodstock. She is out of the Stratum mare Emerge and she is a daughter of the former champion 2-year-old and three-time Group 1 winner Burst (Marauding {NZ}).
Good Omens as a yearling
Emerge is a half-sister to the dam of the G3 Kenilworth Prix de Cup winner Winter Burst (SAF) (Western Winter {USA}) and also the family of the dual Group 2 winner Éclair Choice (California Dane). Good Omens is prepared by Chris Waller and was an eye-catching trial winner at Rosehill last month. She handled the rain-affected track well and with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle looks set for a bold showing.
Ladbrokes Park, Race 4, 5.25pm AEDT, Thoroughbred Club H., $50,000, 1500m
Yukon (Vancouver) has made a strong start to his career and won his first start at Wyong before he finished a sound third at Kembla Grange. The extra distance here looks ideal for the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained 3-year-old who will be guided by Craig Williams.
Yukon as a yearling
He was bred by the Bangaloe Stud Syndicate and sold through the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $360,000 to Team Hawkes. Yukon has plenty of speed in his pedigree as a son of Phantom Queen (Charge Forward), whose four foals to race have all been successful, and she is a half-sister to the G1 The Galaxy H. winner Sweet Idea (Snitzel) and the dual Group 2 winner and sire Showtime.
