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 Saturday, we travel from Hastings to Riccarton to Kembla Grange to Sha Tin to Morphettville and on to Caulfield, taking in some very well-related horses either debuting, or looking to step through their classes.
Hastings Race 3, Beth Shan Funerals Special Conditions, $30,000, 1300m, 1.30pm NZST, 11:30am AEST
The well-related Langkawi (Helmet) was unlucky not to have beaten his stablemate Matuzalem (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) on the opening day of the meeting after an interrupted run. The winner was ridden by the trainer’s son Shaun McKay and this time he has switched mounts in their re-match.
Langkawi is a half-brother to the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Amarula (NZ) (Thorn Park) and the G3 Darley Plate winner Little Wonder (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). They are sons of Shortblackmini (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), who is a half-sister to the six-time Group 1 winner Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) and the McKay-trained G1 New Zealand Derby winner Puccini (NZ) (Encosta de Lago).
Riccarton Race 2, NZ Cup Meeting Tickets On Sale Maiden, $10,000, 1200m, 12.02pm NZST, 10:02am AEST
Debut runner Sacred Quartz (Zoustar) trialled well enough to suggest he can be a player in this. Trained by Tony Pike, the 3-year-old finished runner-up in his 900 metre heat at Te Aroha last month and has drawn well to make a first-up impact.
He was a $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Raffles Racing and is out of the Listed winner Calcatta (Tale Of The Cat {USA}). She is a direct descendant of Sequita (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {IRE}), a Group 2 winner and the mother of the Group 1 performer Never Quit (Sir Tristram {IRE}).
Sacred Quartz as a yearling
Kembla Grange Race 3, Jeff Penza Maiden Plate, $35000, 1200m, 1:44pm AEST
California Laestar (Zoustar) returns to the track, having had one start as a 2-year-old in city grade. This colt has shown much more at the trials this time and in what looks a winnable Kembla maiden, could be set for a good return.
A $320,000 buy by Hong Kong interests at the 2017 Easter Yearling Sales, he is out of Laetitia (Woodman {USA}} who has already produced multiple black-type winner Stryker (Fastnet Rock) who currently stands at Three Bridges.
California Laestar as a yearling
Sha Tin Race 9, Seattle Hcp, $HK1.4m, 1400m, 7:10pm AEST
Thought we would pull this one out as we mentioned him in this column earlier in the week, Sebfire (Sebring) raced with some success in Australia for Darren Weir before moving to Hong Kong where he has had one start for Casper Fownes for a fifth back in April.
A $700,000 yearling, Sebfire is a half-brother to Group 1 winning sprinter Shamal Wind as well as the filly Samoon, who was pretty good on debut at Sale on Thursday.
Sebfire as a yearling
Caulfield Race 6, Listed Aquis John Moloney S. $120,000, 1400m, 3:30pm AEDT
Reginae (All Too Hard) looks another very promising Kris Lees filly having won her past two races, including her most recent at Randwick three weeks ago. She steps up to Listed company here, but off an inside barrier looks to be a very strong chance.
She was by no means a cheap filly, costing $500,000 as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale. She is out of stakes-placed Furhnatic (Langfuhr {Can}) making her a half-sister to G1 placed mare Fuhryk.
Reginae as a yearling
Morphettville Race 2, Table and Chair Co 3YO Mdn, $30,000, 1100m, 1:51pm AEST
Morrissy (Snitzel) makes his debut in a strong and deep maiden off a pacy showing at a recent Flemington jumpout. He led some well-credentialled horses that day before finishing third in a bunched finish. Trainers Leon and Troy Corstens have given him four jumpouts headed into this race.
Out of Listed winner Extension of Time, he is a half-brother to promising Hong Kong galloper Noble Steed (Street Cry {Ire}) and cost $240,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions. His grand-dam is Nina Haraka, the G1 placed mare, meaning he is also related to Snitzerland and Sooboog.
Morrissy as a yearling
