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.
Today, we put the spotlight at Mudgee on a well-related debutante for Bjorn Baker and a promising 3-year-old who looks on the verge of a breakthrough for Cameron Crockett, while at Wangaratta Anthony Freedman has a lightly-tried prospect primed for a middle distance success.
Mudgee, Race 2, 1.35pm, Happy Birthday Max Whitby, $30,000, 1400m
Lady Concur (Dundeel {NZ}) makes her first appearance here for trainer Bjorn Baker and off the back of an encouraging trial she can make an impact. The 3-year-old finished runner-up at Hawkesbury where she was ridden by Robbie Dolan, who has the mount again. They have a handy gate to work with and it’s not the strongest line-up.
Dundeel (NZ), sire of Lady Concur
A $50,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale graduate, Lady Concur is a half-sister to the G3 Schweppervescence S. winner Fitocracy (Denman) and their dam Reine De Jeu (Anabaa {USA}) was successful three times. She is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval (Makfi {GB}).
Mudgee, Race 3, 2.10pm, Gooree Park Country Only Maiden, $40,000, 1200m
Confinement (Star Witness) was secured at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $35,000 and is a half-sister to five winners. Her dam Encapsulate (Encosta De Lago) is an unraced half-sister to the mother of the multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1 performer Super Cash (Written Tycoon). The pedigree also features the European stakes winners Rajasinghe (Ire) (Choisir) and Hillbilly Boy (Ire) (Haafhd {GB}).
Confinement as a yearling
Prepared by Cameron Crockett, Confinement made her second appearance at Scone and showed sharp improvement on an unplaced debut effort when she finished runner-up. Grant Buckley takes the mount and from a handy barrier they can go one better.
Wangaratta, Race 4, 2.15pm, Winsec Savings & Loans H., $35,000, 2000m
Mister Ballistic (Smart Missile) is proving to be a shrewd piece of business after he was claimed at the Classic Sale for $18,000. He has yet to miss a cheque for trainer Anthony Freedman in a brief career and was a winner on this course two runs back. The gelding moves up to 2000 metres and, on pedigree, that should be ideal.
Mister Ballistic as a yearling
A half-brother to a pair of winners, Mister Ballistic is out of the unraced Strictly Personal (Don Eduardo {NZ}) and she is a half-sister to the G1 BTC Cup winner and successful sire Your Song. There is a strong international element to the family, most notably through the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Fantastic Light (USA).
