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 concentrate our efforts on the Cranbourne meeting where we believe a last-start runner-up can go one better and a pair of well-related stablemates look set to enjoy maiden successes.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Remembering Mikaela Claridge Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Painted Black (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) has a sense of timing about him and looks a golden chance to shed his novice tag. He was a sound fifth on debut and then finished runner-up at Sale over 1400 metres and the step up to a mile should deliver a winning outcome.
Lucas Cranach (Ger), sire of Painted Black | Standing at Bullarook Park Stud
Prepared by Rachael Frost, Painted Black is out of Three Red Roses (Al Samer), who was successful on three occasions. She is out of a three-quarter sister to the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Rizon (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Sybeel (NZ). The family also features a host of other Group winners including Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park), Vavasour (Redoute’s Choice), Vilanova (Commands) and Sir Clive (NZ) (Bigstone {Ire}).
Cranbourne, Race 2, 12.40pm AEST, Frankston Sand Soil & Mini Mix Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Sodalicious (Starspangledbanner) has been patiently handled and was a debut second at Ballarat in her spring debut and was spelled after an unplaced effort at Moe. With the benefit of a good break to develop and strengthen, she can make an impact on her return.
Starspangledbanner, sire of Sodalicious | Standing at Rosemont Stud
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare is a daughter of the North American stakes winner and Group performer Wild Mia (USA) (Wildcat Heir {USA}). She is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Second Reality (Arg) (Hidden Prize {Arg}) and the dual Group 2 winner Hastial (Arg) (Logical {USA}) also features under the second dam.
Cranbourne, Race 4, 2pm AEST, O’Brien Real Estate Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Maher and Eustace also look to have another leading chance here in the form of the well-credentialled Sacred Snow (Redoute’s Choice). She has no official trial form, but is sure to have been given a thorough grounding and she has a smart pedigree to back her claims.
Sacred Snow as a yearling
Sacred Snow is out of Adelie (Red Ransom {USA}), a two-time sprint winner and she is a half-sister to the G1 Galaxy H. winner and sire Snowland and a sister to the dual Group 2 winner Portillo, dam of the G2 Surround S. winner Ghisloni (Lonhro). Another sibling is the dual black type winner and sire Snippetson.
