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’re siding with a juvenile debutante at Flemington boasting trial performance and pedigree and a promising filly making her seasonal return. At the Gold Coast, we are in the camp of a 2-year-old and are expecting her to improve on a first-up placing.
Flemington, Race 1, 2.05pm AEDT, Summer Twilight Series Plate, $125,000, 1000m
Telluride (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has both trial performance and a proven 2-year-old pedigree to draw serious attention to her first-up prospects. The Godolphin representative won her 740 metre heat at Warwick Farm last month before trainer James Cummings sent her to Melbourne, and with Damien Oliver in the saddle the stable’s success with juveniles this season may well continue.
Medaglia D’Oro (USA), sire of Telluride | Standing at Darley America
She is a daughter of the Listed Gimcrack S. and Listed St Albans S. winner Calaverite (Lonhro), who is a half-sister to the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner and G1 Diamond S. placegetter Gold Rocks (NZ) (Savabeel), whose half-sister Gold Rush (So You Think {NZ}) also won the Breeders’ S. Their dam Gold Rocks (Oratorio) was successful in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.
Flemington, Race 5, 4.40pm AEDT, TAB Long May We Play Sprint, $135,000, 1100m
Luiselli (Written Tycoon) was purchased by Team Hawkes for $380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she was offered by Attunga Stud. She is a half-sister to multiple winners Quadcopter (Zoustar) and The Executioner (More Than Ready {USA}) with their dam Pinova (Fastnet Rock) successful on one occasion.
Luiselli as a yearling
She is a half-sister to the G2 Schillaci S. winner, four-time Group 1 placegetter and sire Star Turn and their dam is Golden Delicious (Made Of Gold {USA}), winner of the G3 Prince Of Wales S. Luiselli is making a fresh start here after winning her last two starts before a break so a hat-trick beckons from an inside barrier.
Gold Coast, Race 2, 12.58pm, Aquis Gold Pearl, $125,000, 1100m
Swift Witness (Star Witness) was unbeaten in two trial appearances at Randwick before she made her debut in the R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong Classic and boxed on well for third behind the impressive She’s All Class (I Am Invincible). The filly will surely be better for that hitout and looms as a serious contender.
Swift Witness as a yearling
She was bought out of Widden Stud’s Gold Coast consignment for $260,000 by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and is a sister to the dual winner Terminology, also a Listed Gosford Guineas runner-up. They are out of Taylor’s Command (Commands) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Queen of the South S. winner So Pristine (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the family of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year and G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).
