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 zero in on the prospects at Scone of a pair of lightly-tried maiden gallopers who have made encouraging starts to their careers while at Geelong we like a well-related 2-year-old who can return from a break in style.
Scone, Race 1, 12.15pm AEST, Widden Stud Showcase Mdn, $27,000, 1100m
Cecilia (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was placed on debut before she went for a spell and returned in encouraging fashion at Taree where she boxed on strongly to finish third. She will undoubtedly be all the better for the run and from a handy gate looks a leading chance.
Darci Brahma (NZ), sire of Cecilia (NZ) | Standing at The Oaks Stud
A NZ$31,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale buy, Cecilia is a sister to the G3 Schweppervescence Trophy winner Paint The Town (NZ) and their dam Italic (GB) (Medicean {GB}) was a multiple winner. She is from the immediate family of the five-time Group 1 winner Exultant (Teofilo {Ire}) and the Group 2 winners Caspian Prince (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Spirit Quartz (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
Scone, Race 2, 12.50pm AEST, Coolmore Country Only Mdn, $36,000, 1000m
Golden Missile (Smart Missile) enjoyed a quiet trial before she produced a bold performance at the first time of asking when runner-up at Tamworth. She is blessed with an inside gate in a big field and can go one better in the hands of Mitchell Bell.
Golden Missile as a yearling
Trained by Luke Morgan, Golden Missile is a daughter of the winning Slip Anchor (GB) mare Another Faux Pas (Ire) and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Decado (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Their dam is a half-sister to the G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Fracas (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) with the two-time Group 1 winner La Collina (Ire) (Strategic Prince {GB}) also featuring in the pedigree.
Geelong, Race 3, 1.30pm AEST, The Elephant & Castle Hotel Mdn, $31,500, 1300m
Café Rizu (Rubick) was bought at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $100,000 and then went for just $27,500 at this year’s Inglis Digital May Sale. That could prove to be a smart purchase as she had finished runner-up at Sandown before she was spelled by trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Café Rizu as a yearling
She is a half-sister to seven winners, including the Group performer Felarof (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and to the dam of the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. winner Hear The Chant (Nicconi). Café Rizu is out of the dual Group 2 winner Calm Smytzer (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who was also placed in the G1 Australia S.
