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, a colt by Redoute's Choice takes our eye at Bendigo, where a filly from Tony McEvoy's stable also resumes, while at the Sunshine Coast a well-related filly from David Vandyke's yard makes her re-appearance as a 3-year-old.
Bendigo Race 1, 12:05pm AEST, Bendigo Marketplace 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
This shapes as a really interesting Sunday maiden, with a host of well-bred horses looking to break the maiden. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott debut Classic Bright (Redoute's Choice), who has had a trio of recent Flemington jumpouts and has improved through those. He looks ready to make an impression here.
Classic Bright as a yearling
He was a $220,000 Easter purchase for his trainers and is out of the multiple Listed winner Kneeling (Encosta De Lago), who has already had Power of Wexford (Snitzel) win three races. Kneeling is one of two stakes winners out of the stakes-placed mare Sunday Service (Sunday Silence {USA}), the other being That's A Good Idea (Flying Spur). Multiple Group 1 winner Ace High (High Chaparral {Ire}) is out of another sibling.
Bendigo Race 3, 1:15pm AEST, Jayco 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
I Am (I Am Invincible) was a $600,000 Easter purchase for trainer Tony McEvoy, being out of Tabasco Kitten (Redoute's Choice), the half-sister to the grand producer and Group 2 winner Alizes (Rory's Jester), who has left the Group 1 winners Astern (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) and Alizee (Sepoy). This filly's second dam is the Group 1 winner La Baraka (Euclase), who is proving quite the blue hen.
I Am as a yearling
I Am debuted in group company back in February and found that and the subsequent stakes class in the Talindert S. a bit rich. She jumped out very well recently at Flemington, showing plenty of pace and drops the winkers and gets the tongue tie on for her first-up assignment.
Sunshine Coast Race 4, 2:30pm AEST, McCain Mdn Plate, $21,000, 1000m
Okeechobee (Sebring) was given her debut as an early 2-year-old and was well-supported when third behind a couple of handy youngsters. She has had a recent trial at this track as a lead in to this maiden, which looks a nice assignment for her first-up as a now 3-year-old.
Okeechobee as a yearling
Trainer David Vandyke paid $210,000 for her at the 2018 Magic Millions Sale. She is out of Scorched (Exceed And Excel), who has already produced the winner Smelting (Nicconi) and is the full-sister to Group 3 winner Furnaces. That's the family of Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute's Choice) as well as Arrowfield stallion Pariah (Redoute's Choice).
