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 at Randwick of a well-related 2-year-old, an expensive colt in action at Flemington and at Newcastle we are siding with a 3-year-old who scored well enough last time out to suggest he can continue his winning form.
Flemington, Race 1, 12.05pm AEST, Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial S., $175,000, 1000m
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will be represented by a well-credentialled individual here in Fake Love (I Am Invincible). The filly hasn’t been to any official trials, but is sure to be ready for the challenge and has a pedigree to strongly suggest she can be a major player.
Fake Love as a yearling
Bred by Segenhoe Stud, Fake Love made $380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale and subsequently failed to meet her $450,000 when re-offered 12 months later. She is a daughter of Anatina (Fastnet Rock), a dual Listed winner and runner-up in the G1 Galaxy H. It is a speedy family that includes the Listed Mode Plate winner Sugar Boom (Spirit Of Boom) and the G2 Villiers S. winner Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt).
Flemington, Race 2, 12.40pm AEST, Seppelt Wines Poseidon S., $175,000, 1100m
Pioneer River (Snitzel) was purchased out of Sledmere Stud’s draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $1.1 million by Sun Bloodstock. A half-brother to the G3 Mr Tiz Trophy winner No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), the colt is out of Ocean of Tears (NZ) (Minardi {USA}) who is a half-sister to the G2 Reisling S. winner Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Pioneer River as a yearling
She is the dam of the Listed winner and Group 1 placegetter Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock), whose sister Ennis Hill won the G3 Chairman’s S. Pioneer River was a winner and stakes-placed last season and with one run under his belt this preparation should be ready to produce his best form here.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1.19pm AEST, Sage Painting H., $35,000, 1600m
The Mark Newnham representative The Mediator (Sebring) hasn’t taken long to open his account and following a resuming third the colt bolted home at Kembla Grange. With the further benefit of Tyler Schiller’s 3kg claim, he can make it two on the bounce.
The late Sebring, sire of The Mediator
The Mediator is a brother to three multiple winners, including Positive Problems and Sebring Dream who are both Group placegetters. Their dam is the unraced Dream ‘N’ Believe (Shamardal {USA}) and she is out of a half-sister to the G2 Sandown Guineas winner and sire King Ivor, the multiple Group 3 winner Snake Eyes (USA) (Dixieland Band {USA}) and the G3 Sandown Classic Trial winner and sire Linney Head (USA).
