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 Tuesday, Peter and Paul Snowden and Patrick Payne both have 3-year-olds on debut at Benalla, while at Muswellbrook, a 2-year-old filly takes on the older horses.
Benalla, Race 1, 1:30pm AEDT, Euroa Cup Sunday 15th March 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1206m
Miss Stunning (Verrazano {USA}) is a filly out of the influential mare La Lagune (Danehill {USA}), who was a multiple stakes winner herself and a runner-up in a G1 Blue Diamond S. She has produced the stakes placed Just Forget It (Encosta De Lago) as well as the dams of three stakes winners, Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), Savvy Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) and Addictive Nature (NZ) (Savabeel).
Miss Stunning as a yearling
This filly cost Yulong $110,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and makes her debut for Peter and Paul Snowden. She was close-up in a recent Flemington jump-out behind subsequent Caulfield winner Just Benjamin (GB) (Epaulette).
Muswellbrook, Race 1, 1:35pm AEDT, Cup Day Tickets On Sale Now Mdn, $22,000, 1000m
Two-year-old filly Shahi (Zoustar) steps up against the older horses looking to break her maiden at start number three for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Having debuted in the G3 Gimcrack S., she resumed in a strong Kembla Grange 2YO Maiden where she was well supported and beaten just 1.3l in fourth.
She cost $150,000 for Aquis and Highclere Australia at last year's Magic Millions Sale and is out of the imported mare Pleats (Fr) (Green Desert {USA}), making her a half-sister to the stakes placed Intriguing Lady (New Approach {Ire}) as well as three other winners.
Shahi as a yearling
Benalla, Race 3, 2:30pm AEDT, Comfort Inn Benalla Mdn, $35,000, 1606m
The in-form Patrick Payne stable presents the cleverly named 3-year-old Love Hurts (NZ) (Pins) for his debut. He is out of Romancing (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), making him a half-brother to Group 3 winner Love Affair (NZ) (Savabeel).
Romancing is an unraced sister of Listed winner Salsa (NZ) and half-sister to stakes winners Somepin Anypin (NZ) (Pins) and Rule Of Engagement (NZ) (Danasinga). Group 1 winner Centisle (NZ) (Centaine) also features of a pedigree page with plenty of black type.
Love Hurts was pretty game in a recent Geelong trial, sitting outside of the pace and fighting on well for second and it is interesting that he debuts at the mile here.
The late Pins, sire of Love Hurts
