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 Wednesday, we are keen on the chances at Warwick Farm of a 3-year-old from a top New Zealand family and a filly who gave a bold sight on debut, while at Caulfield a juvenile with Group 1 winning 2-year-old form in her pedigree gets our backing.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 2.20pm, Territories @ Darley H., $50,000, 1400m
A $575,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Private Missile (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) is a half-brother to three winners including Ocean Emperor (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and he won three times at Group 2 level before retiring to stud. Their dam Tootsie (NZ) (Pins) won the G3 Mannerism S. and is a sister to the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Legless Veuve (NZ).
Private Missile (NZ) as a yearling
The family also the features the Karaka Million winner and Group 1 performer Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and the dual Group 1 winner Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel). Private Missile has had two quiet lead-up trials, one of them in the hands of Tommy Berry who takes the ride again.
Warwick Farm, Race 3, 3.30pm, TAB Venue Mode H., $50,000, 1400m
April Thunder (Sebring) had trialled well before she made her first appearance at Randwick on Boxing Day and gave a bold account by making solid ground for third. She goes up in trip here, which looks ideal, and she is against her own sex.
April Thunder as a yearling
A $120,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, the filly is a daughter of Kyria (Encosta de Lago), who didn’t win but showed quality with placings in the G2 Silver Slipper S. and the G3 Sweet Embrace S. Her half-sister Always Allison (More Than Ready {USA}) won an edition of the Sweet Embrace and a headline act in the pedigree is the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}).
Caulfield, Race 3, 4.50pm, Ladbrokes Back Yourself H., $50,000, 1100m
Avenue Of Pleasure (I Am Invincible) was secured for $180,000 at the Inglis Easter Sale and boasts a speedy pedigree. She is a half-sister to the dual winner Abshiroo (Snitzel) with their dam the Fastnet Rock mare Fitna. She is a daughter of the G1 Champagne S. winner Carry On Cutie (More Than Ready {USA}).
Avenue Of Pleasure as a yearling
It is the family of The Mission (Choisir), who also won the Champagne, and the G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Vinicunca (I Am Invincible). Avenue Of Pleasure did well first time out at Moonee Valley to run third from a wide gate and with race day experience under her belt she looks a top chance in this line-up.
