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 are keen on two first-starters at Hawkesbury who have been prominent at the trials and look set to give bold accounts on debut while at Swan Hill we like the second-up prospects of an expensive filly.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Exact Security Mdn, $31,500, 1500m
Chief Geronimo (More Than Ready {USA}) will step out for the first time and has been given a thorough grounding at the trials. He has placed in all three appearances and most recently finished runner-up over 1400 metres at Canterbury Park.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Chief Geronimo was a $220,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a son of The Warrior Woman (Redoute’s Choice), a five-time winner and she is a sister to the G1 Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent. Golden Sword (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) is a multiple top-flight winner in the pedigree, which also features the internationally-performed sprinter and sire Falkirk (NZ).
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 12.35pm AEST, Ascend Sales Trophies Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Light And Dark (Rubick) is another trial performer to give serious consideration to when he makes his debut for trainer Bjorn Baker. The gelding was a winner on his home track at Warwick Farm earlier last month and topped off his preparation with a second placing at Canterbury Park.
He should be primed for a bold 1000 metres and will have the services of Jason Collett, who has previously ridden him at the trials. He is a son of Canzero (Danzero), who was twice successful up to 1000 metres and has produced three sprint winners. The dam is a half-sister to the Listed Ottawa S. winner Spectrolite (Stratum) so there is plenty of up-front pace in the family.
Swan Hill, Race 3, 1.30pm AEST, Jarrod Arentz Electrical VOBIS Classic, $90,000, 1300m
Efflorescence (I Am Invincible) showed more than enough at the first time of asking to be sticking with her. She came from the tail of the field to finish fourth at Geelong and the extra distance here and benefit taken from her initial outing could see her show winning improvement.
The Anthony Cummings-trained filly was a $510,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale graduate and is a daughter of the G2 Stocks S. winner and multiple Group placegetter Oasis Bloom (Al Maher). She is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Unerestimation (Al Samer) with Lady Purpose (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and Hadaaf (Danewin) other stakes winners in the immediate pedigree.
