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 that has trialled particularly well, we will aim to give you something to follow.
On Wednesday, three debutants take our eye, including siblings to Group 1 winners at Bendigo and Kensington, and an All Too Hard 3-year-old in a familiar set of colours at Ipswich.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda Mdn, $35,000, 1100m
Well-related colt Mornington Glory (Shalaa {Ire}) debuts here for Matt Laurie having looked competitive at a Cranbourne trial last month and then backing that up with an all-the-way success in a Caulfield jump-out. Off the back of that, he is expected to start favourite in this race.
He is bred to make an impression being a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1 producer Hallowed Crown, who stands at Twin Hills, and Armidale Stud's Needs Further, who has also produced a Group 1 winner. Their dam, Crowned Glory (Danehill {USA}), was a Group 3 winner and runner-up in a G1 Golden Slipper S.
Mornington Glory as a yearling
This colt cost Laurie, in combination with Bahen Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock, $320,000 through the Eduardo Cojuangco Dispersal at Magic Millions last year.
Kensington, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, Vinery H., $50,000, 1400m
Off an impressive recent trial win at Rosehill, Chris Waller brings Antonio Giovanni (All To Hard) to raceday for the first time. On that occasion, he sat back in the field and closed off in the manner of a horse which will appreciate starting his career out at 1400 metres.
Antonio Giovanni races in the colours of his breeder Tony Muollo, who had Group 1 success racing his half-brothers Pressday (Domesday) and Press Statement, with the latter now a resident at Vinery Stud. It’s an extended family that has also had more recent Group 1 success through the John O'Shea-trained Lion's Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}).
All Too Hard, sire of Antonio Giovanni | Standing at Vinery Stud
Ipswich, Race 4, 2.53pm AEST, Beers, Bubbles and Brunch This Sunday Mdn, $27,000, 1200m
Owner Allan Endresz has had Group 1 success with the progeny of All Too Hard, through Alligator Blood, and another of the Vinery Stud stallion's progeny, Bronze Dragon, debuts in his green colours for trainer Billy Healey in this race. This 3-year-old has not been far away in his two recent trials and should settle close to the pace from the inside barrier.
All Too Hard, sire of Bronze Dragon | Standing at Vinery Stud
He was a $70,000 purchase for Endresz's Ezybonds Syndicate through the Macquarie Stud at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale. He is a half-brother to the Macau Listed winner Big Alloy (Foxwedge). Their dam Berna (Bernardini {USA}) is from an extended family which features seven stakes winners descended from his third dam, including Group 1 winner Ugo Fascolo (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}).
Looking Back
It was a successful day for our Looking Ahead selections on Tuesday, with Titans (Exceed And Excel) breaking his maiden at Wangaratta, while Leading Lady (Maurice {Jpn}) ran a good race at Taree, finishing second.
Our third selection, Aquila Volare (Free Eagle {Ire}), could only manage seventh in his second start at Wangaratta.
