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 like the chances of a pair of Kris Lees-trained gallopers showing winning improvement on bold first-up performances and at Cranbourne a well-related Lindsay Park representative looks a top prospect.
Coffs Harbour, Race 2, 12.45pm AEST, Park Beach Plumbing Mdn, $27,000, 1205m
Ciao Uno (Super One) was a winner at the trials before she made her debut at Tamworth where she finished a sound second. There’s no question she will be all the better for the experience and also has the bonus of an inside gate in a big field.
Ciao Uno as a yearling
Prepared by Kris Lees, Ciao Uno was a $46,000 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale buy and is a daughter of Ciao (Not A Single Doubt), who was successful on four occasions. She is out of a half-sister to the G3 Stocks S. winner Bon Precieux (Metal Precieux {Fr}) and the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year and five-time Group 1 winner Research (Imperial Prince {Ire}).
Coffs Harbour, Race 3, 1.20pm AEST, Mid North Coast Surveying Mdn, $27,000, 1405m
Lees also looks to have a prime winning prospect here with Rua Raposa (Foxwedge), who was given a thorough grounding at the trials. She had her first start at Muswellbrook where she went back from a wide gate and made ground for fourth.
Foxwedge, sire of Rua Raposa | Standing at Woodside Park Stud
The filly has another tricky gate, but with some luck in running she should show her appreciation of a step up in distance. Rua Raposa is out of Tamarind Lane (Stratum), an unraced half-sister to the G1 Goodwood H. winner Zip Zip Aray (Bellotto {USA}) and his sister Zipanese was also a stakes winner. The Group 1-winning siblings Niconero (Danzero) and successful sire Nicconi also feature close up in the pedigree.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 5.30pm AEST, TAB Long May We Play Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Pocket Goddess (Written Tycoon) is bred for speed and is a half-sister to the Listed Bill Carter S. winner Eawase (Sebring) and they are out of Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt). She won six races up to 1200 metres, including the G3 Red Anchor S. and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and was runner-up in the G1 William Reid S.
Written Tycoon, sire of Pocket Goddess | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
She is a daughter of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Card Queen (Final Card) and under the second dam is the G3 Mumm S. winner and William Reid placegetter Vain Queen (Artie Schiller {USA}). Pocket Goddess finished a close second on debut at Warrnambool for Lindsay Park and has a golden chance of going one better here.
