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.
At the Kensington track we are sold on the chances of a richly bred filly on debut and a youngster resuming off the back of encouraging trial performances. At Ladbrokes Park, we are expecting a well-credentialled colt to go one better on his effort for second at his first appearance.
Kensington, Race 1, 2.20pm AEDT, Stud & Stable Staff Awards Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Bred by Kerry O’Brien Thoroughbreds, Amen Corner (I Am Invincible) was an expensive yearling with Stonestreet Stables going to $750,000 to secure her out of Bhima Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to three winners, including Thyme For Roses (Redoute’s Choice), who claimed an edition of the G3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders’ S.
Amen Corner as a yearling
Their dam Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}) was a dual Group 3 winner and there is a strong international flavour to this pedigree through the presence of Champion Canadian colt Mercedes Won (USA), a two-time Group 1 winner and sire. Amen Corner is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and with placings from all three of her trials she has been given a thorough grounding ahead of her first appearance.
Kensington, Race 2, 2.55pm AEDT, Vinery Stud H., $50,000, 1400m
The Chris Waller-prepared Tuscan Gaze (Snitzel) was runner-up on debut and was then unplaced on a return trip to Newcastle, although he wasn’t far away in sixth spot. He has been given a decent break since then and a couple of handy trials showed the colt was ready to return and waste no time opening his winning account.
Snitzel, sire of Tuscan Gaze | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Tuscan Gaze is a son of The Party Stand (NZ) (Thorn Park) and she was a talented mare who won six times up to 2000 metres with victory in the G1 New Zealand S. her stand-out performance. Also the dam of the stakes performer Petition (Foxwedge), she is from the potent Group 1-winning family of Mr Murphy (Danehill {USA}), Regal Power (Pierro), Arcadia Queen (Pierro) and Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante).
Ladbrokes Park, Race 2, 4.15pm AEDT, IVE Print H., $50,000, 1400m
Frontman (Redoute’s Choice) was runner-up in his first appearance at Sandown where was beaten by Light Sabre (Zoustar) when they met at level weights and will this time meet his race rival 2kg better off. That may prove to be crucial and present the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt with a fine chance to secure his first win.
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Frontman
Bred and part-owned by Arrowfield Stud, Frontman is a half-brother to the G1 Ubet Classic winner Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt), whose sister Stellar Pauline is also a talented filly, and to the dam of this season’s unbeaten star 2-year-old Enthaar (Written Tycoon). They are out of the unraced Negotiate (Red Ransom {USA}), a daughter of the G1 Champagne S. winner Euphoria (Marauding {NZ}).
