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.
On Sunday, we will begin the day at Swan Hill with a Jonathan Munz-owned filly having her first start for local trainer Austy Coffey before rounding out the day at Sandown with two exciting Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained sons of I Am Invincible.
Swan Hill, Race 1, 12.15pm AEST, bet365 Racing Refunds Mdn Plate, $27,000, 975m
Cut To The Chase, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Pursuits {Lonhro})
Cut To The Chase is yet to justify her purchase price as a yearling in three starts to date but hopefully a change of environment from Grahame Begg’s Pinecliff base to Austy Coffey’s yard in Swan Hill can prove beneficial.
She was well-held on resumption last month, finishing 5.8l fifth in a Ballarat Synthetic maiden when engaged as a short-priced favourite, but finds weaker opposition here. Harry Coffey has been booked to ride and will partner Cut To The Chase from barrier five.
Cut To The Chase as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A $530,000 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud, Cut To The Chase is the second foal out of the dual Group 3-placed Lonhro mare Pursuits, who herself is a half-sister to G3 Kennedy Plate heroine Jorda (Exceed And Excel) and the Listed-placed dam of R. Listed Inglis Banner 2YO S. winner Espaaniyah (I Am Invincible).
Pursuits and Jorda are both out of the G3 Silver Shadow S. runner-up Montmelo (Viscount). G1 Champagne S. winner She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice) features in the second generation of this family.
Sandown, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, Ladbrokes Mates Mode H., $55,000, 1200m
Rising, 4-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Samara Dancer {NZ} {Hinchinbrook})
The lightly raced Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Rising will be out to add a second win to his resume after an impressive first-up second at Cranbourne last month.
Mark Zahra has been booked to partner the gelding from barrier one.
Bred by Widden Stud, Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Halatex Pty Ltd, Rising was retained to race after failing to meet a reserve of $750,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Rising as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Rising is the first foal out of the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies)-winning Hinchinbrook mare Samara Dancer (NZ), who is a half-sister to the G2 Danehill S.-placed Eclair Big Bang (Savabeel), the G2 Sandown Guineas-placed Black Sail (NZ) (Savabeel) and the G3 Standish H.-placed Defiant Diva (Foxwedge).
Samara Dancer’s grandam is the G2 Deauville Prix de Pomone-winning Whitehaven (GB) (Top Ville {Ire}). G2 Avondale Guineas winner and G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) also features in the second generation of this pedigree.
Sandown, Race 3, 1.50pm AEST, Ladbrokes Live Betting H., $55,000, 1200m
Hafey, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Beat The Benchmark {USA} {Speightstown {USA}})
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Hafey will be out to make amends for his failure in February’s G1 Blue Diamond S. when he resumes in this competitive contest.
Jamie Kah will ride Hafey for the first time on raceday after Craig Williams was engaged at his first two career starts. She is set to partner the Victorian Alliance-owned colt from barrier two of seven.
Hafey as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A $525,000 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Rosemont Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock from the draft of Coolmore Stud, Hafey is the first foal out of the G1 Woodbine Natalma S.-placed Speightstown (USA) mare Beat The Benchmark (USA).
Beat The Benchmark is a half-sister to the Listed-winning, G3 Sunland Derby-placed Abraham (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) and hails from the extended family of G1 Saratoga Go for Wand H. runner-up Miss Isella (USA) (Silver Charm {USA).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Palaggio (Caravaggio {USA}) finished sixth in the opening event at Flemington.
Our second selection, Party Princess (So You Think {NZ}) impressed on debut, finishing second at Murray Bridge.
Our final selection, Jolted (Deep Impact {Jpn}) finished seventh in the second event at Newcastle.
