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.
Friday at Canberra, we look at a late debutante who's from a Group 2-winning mare, while at Tamworth we've got a juvenile filly that is closely related to Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice). At Ballarat, we pay attention to an OTI gelding from an 'Explosive' family.
Canberra, Race 4, 1.45pm AEST, Get Fred Out Of My Head Plate, $22,000, 1200m
Lynber, 4-year-old mare (Pierro x My Tusker {NZ} {Volksraad {GB}})
This unraced filly is from the Volksraad (GB) mare My Tusker (NZ), who was a three-time Group 2 winner in New Zealand during a very useful career. My Tusker was second in the G1 International S. at Te Rapa, and she’s a half-sister to the dam of Tribal Wisdom (Makfi {GB}), a winner of the Listed Gosford Guineas. The second dam in this pedigree is a half-sister to the Melbourne Cup winner Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}).
Lynber was a tidy purchase for her trainers, Barbara Joseph and Paul and Matt Jones. She was consigned by Coolmore to the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and bought for $15,000.
Lynber as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
It’s taken the 4-year-old mare a long time to get to the races, and she comes into this debut with just two trials behind her. The latest was a fourth on June 8 at home in Canberra. She has a home-track advantage but she’s drawn barrier 15 with jockey Quayde Krogh.
Tamworth, Race 5, 2.40pm AEST, Thank You Volunteers Showcase Mdn, $30,000, 1200m
Rhiannon, 2-year-old filly (Awesome Rock x Lucky Ana {NZ} {Lucky Unicorn})
Two-year-old Rhiannon is an unraced filly for trainer Kim Waugh, and she comes into this debut with a bit of pedigree. Her dam is a half-sister to the dam of Lankan Rupee, while Rhiannon herself is a half-sister to the Deep Field gelding Dig Deep, who won the G2 Karrakatta Plate in Western Australia.
Rhiannon was consigned by Valiant Stud to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she sold to Darby Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) for $57,500.
Rhiannon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly will debut in the colours of Darby Racing, and she’s been very good in her trials to date. She’s had two thirds and a first, and she heads into this race with an ideal draw in barrier one. She will carry jockey Serg Lisnyy.
Ballarat-Synthetic, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Global Turf Mdn, $35,000, 1500m
Guido (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Jakkalberry {Ire} x Micro Explosive {NZ} {Ekraar {USA}})
This 3-year-old gelding is an OTI horse, purchased by OTI Management at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale. He was consigned by Holly Lodge Thoroughbreds and purchased for $25,000.
Guido (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Guido (NZ) is by the well-performed Jakkalberry (Ire), and he’s the second foal from the Ekraar (USA) mare Micro Explosive (NZ). She’s a full sister to the Listed winner Extra Explosive (NZ), and a half-sister to Explosive Dancer (NZ) (San Luis), who was subsequently the dam of Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}), a leading New Zealand 3-year-old.
Guido is trained at Ballarat by Mitchell Freedman and he was fifth in an official trial at Tatura on June 14. He’s drawn barrier six in this debut with jockey Tahlia Hope.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Thursday faired well. At Gosford, Spirit Of Vomo (Spirit Of Boom) was fourth, while Noble Legend (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was scratched. At Moe, Sing For Peace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was second.
