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 Friday, we are drawn to the chances of two lightly-raced maiden contenders with Group 1 pedigrees to back their claims at Canterbury Park and at Cranbourne we’ve settled on a filly who is a sister to a Group 1 winning international sprinter.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 6.15pm, TAB Long May We Play Plate, $50,000, 1250m
Lillium (I Am Invincible) was a $320,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase and she is a half-sister to five winners, including the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Anise (General Nediym). Their dam is the Flying Spur mare Pimpinella and she’s a half-sister to the former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}), the G1 Sallinger S. winner Easy Rocking (Barathea {Ire}) and to the dam of the dual Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor).
Lillium as a yearling
It’s also the family of the G2 SA Fillies Classic winner Ana Royale (Anacheeva) and the Listed Elwick S. winner Mrs Kipling (Exceed And Excel). Lillium has been taken along patiently by Les Bridge and was turned out after finishing third in her second appearance last season. She’s had three trials ahead of her return and a bold showing can be expected.
Canterbury Park, Race 2, 6.45pm, Bowermans Office Furniture Plate, $50,000, 1550m
A $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Diamonds And Rust (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) was a trial winner last month ahead of her resuming run over this course and distance and finished runner-up after making all the play in front. Tommy Berry rode the filly and he retains the mount and expect them to make another bold play for victory.
Diamonds And Rust as a yearling
Diamonds And Rust is a daughter of Gabbidon (Bel Esprit), who was twice successful at Group 3 level and is out of a half-sister to the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Kate’s Myth (Kaoru Star), also a two-time Group 1 placegetter. She produced the dual South African Group 1 winner Mythical Play (NZ) (Defensive Play {USA}) and the stakes winner and G1 Spring Champion S. runner-up Falls The Shadow (Dance Floor {USA}).
Cranbourne, Race 2, 6.30pm, Designer Coolrooms Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
Villa Blanca (Exceed And Excel) was bought for $240,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale and she’s a sister to the G1 Meydan Al Quoz Sprint winner Amber Sky. Their dam Truly Wicked (Rubiton) was also a fine performer and won five races, including the G2 Champagne S. and ran third in the G1 Swettenham Stud S.
Exceed And Excel, sire of Villa Blanca
Truly Wicked is out of a sister to the G3 Gold Plate winner Ticket To Rome (At Talaq {USA}) and the pedigree also features the G2 SAJC Breeders’ Plate winner Great Glen (Regal Classic {Can}). Villa Blanca placed in one of her two starts last season for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and drew attention to her first-up prospect here with a recent trial success.
