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 zero in on a 2-year-old from Fastnet Rock’s family appearing at Randwick, a filly with a Group 1 pedigree on debut at Newcastle and at Flemington we like the chances of a promising youngster from Chris Waller’s team.
Randwick Race 1, 11.30am, Australian Turf Club H., $125,000, 1300m
The Kris Lees-prepared Siesta Key (So You Think {NZ}) looks to be a smart piece of business for Australian Bloodstock who paid $70,000 for her at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of Saratosa (Danehill {USA}), whose nine foals to race have all been successful and she is a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner and champion sire Fastnet Rock.
Siesta Key was a trial winner at Scone before she went to Coff’s Harbour for her first race day appearance. She was a dominant favourite and came from the outside gate to win with a performance that gives confidence she can measure up in stronger company.
Siesta Key as a yearling
Newcastle Race 3, East Maitland Bowling Club H., $35,000, 1200m
Princess Joy Joy (Sebring) brings a rich and deep pedigree to the table here with the filly a half-sister to the stakes winners Upon This Rock (Fastnet Rock), Bhutane Dane (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Gaze On (Intergaze). Their dam Joleur (Bite The Bullet {USA}) is a sister to the Group 3 winner Mica’s Pride, the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) and the G1 Doomben Cup winner Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock). The family also features the Group 3 winning brothers Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) and Bull Point.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Princess Joy Joy has had one quiet trial at Randwick where she appeared to cope well enough with the soft conditions. Her pedigree has plenty of speed and class and is one to suggest the chestnut can give a strong account of herself.
Flemington Race 5, 2.10pm, Listed Taj Rossi Final, $150,000, 1600m
Pancho (Dissident) was a $165,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate and is a son of the winning Written Tycoon mare Novel Dancer, who was also placed in the G3 Quezette S. Her dam Strata Title (Strategic) was a two-time juvenile winner and a stakes performer and is from the family of the G1 VRC Oaks winner Rom’s Stiletto (Sharp Edge {Ire}) and the smart sprinter Defcon (Choisir), winner of the G3 McNeill S. and runner-up in the G2 Silver Shadow S.
Pancho as a yearling
Trained by Chris Waller, Pancho was a winner two runs back and then turned in a solid effort for fifth on this course where he came from last to finish fifth. He drew the outside gate on that occasion and is blessed with a much better gate this time. Significantly, Craig Williams sticks with the youngster.
