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 look at a richly-bred maiden and a debutant with a Group 1 background at Newcastle while at Doomben we like the chances of a Tony Gollan-trained 2-year-old.
Newcastle Race 1, 11.37am, Legrand Australia Qua Life Maiden, $35,000, 1850m
Cottenham (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) has made an encouraging start to her career and followed up a debut fourth with a runner-up finish over 1500 metres on this course toward the end of last month. She is bred to handle longer trips and this distance should present her with an ideal opportunity to break through for trainer John O’Shea.
A NZ$240,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy for Duncan Ramage, Cottenham is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group 3 performer Aotearower (Shamardal {USA}). They are daughters of the former quality race mare Kaatoon (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), winner of the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and the G3 Lowland S.
Newcastle Race 2, 12.12pm, Clevertronics Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
James Harron went to $500,000 to secure Warfare (Spirit Of Boom) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The 2-year-old is a half-brother to the stakes winner and Group 3 performer Tiyatrolani (Captain Sonador) with their dam Tiyatri (Encosta de Lago), who was successful on two occasions. She is out of a half-sister to the G2 Light Fingers S. winner Staging (Success Exporess {USA}), dam of the G1 BTC Cup winner Duporth (Red Ransom {USA}) and the G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Tickets (Redoute’s Choice).
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Warfare trialled before Christmas and was then put away to develop. The colt has placed in both of his trials at Randwick this time around and from a handy gate he can add to the family roll of honour.
Warfare as a yearling
Doomben Race 3, 12.25pm, Listed City Property Services S., $200,000, 1200m
Perudo (Spirit Of Boom) was a $320,000 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale purchase and is out of Goodlookin Gambler (Johannesburg {USA}). All four of her foals to race have been successful and she is a half-sister to the G1 Emirates S. winner Scenic Peak (Scenic {Ire}), who also triumphed three times at Group 3 level.
Perudo as a yearling
Raced by Eureka Stud, Perudo won first time out for trainer Tony Gollan before finishing runner-up at Doomben. She was then fourth on a heavy track in the Aquis Jewel before a break. The filly has drawn in close and regular rider Brad Stewart should be able to give the youngster every opportunity to resume on a high.
