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 will aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, a colt by Frankel (GB) debuts for Michelle Payne at Warrnambool, a progressive country galloper looks to resume a winner at Muswellbrook, and a filly by Not A Single Doubt steps out for Anthony and Sam Freedman at Cranbourne.
Warrnambool, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, De Bortoli 2YO Mdn, $23,000, 1100m
Serlik (Frankel {GB}) is likely the first-ever racehorse to be trained and ridden by a Melbourne Cup winner and owned by an international soccer star. Iranian footballer Serdar Azmoun came together with Michelle Payne to buy this colt for $500,000 out of the draft of Holbrook Thoroughbreds at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Frankel (GB) sire of Serlik | Standing at Juddmonte Farms
He is a full brother to Steinem (GB), who broke her maiden in style at Pakenham last week. Their dam, Thai Noon (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is a daughter of stakes winner Alsace Lorraine (Ire) (Giant's Causeway {USA}) and is a blood-sister to G1 1000 Guineas winner Miss France (Ire) (Dansili {GB}).
This colt looks to have inherited some of that family talent having been fairly impressive when winning a recent Cranbourne trial.
Muswellbrook, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Wayne Harris Showcase H., $50,000, 1280m
Two Big Fari (Walking Or Dancing {NZ}) is a gelding of considerable talent, having won seven of his 12 starts, including a victory at Rosehill back in November. He was also only beaten 1.6l in The Kosciuszko last time in. He resumes here off a spell, winning a recent trial at this track with relative comfort.
Walking Or Dancing (NZ), sire of Two Big Fari
He was purchased for just $7000 as a yearling from the Dubbo Yearling Sale and has returned his connections over $250,000. His second dam, Smartchat (Kaapstad {NZ}), is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and stallion Bel Esprit, while another G1 Blue Diamond S. winner, Mahaasin (Biscay) also features on his extended pedigree page.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 6.30pm AEDT, Hygain 2YO Fillies Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Fleurs De Lis (Not A Single Doubt) makes her debut having been purchased out of the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $280,000 by her trainers as well as Blue Sky Bloodstock and Redwall Bloodstock.
Not A Single Doubt sire of Fleurs De Lis | Pensioned at Arrowfield Stud
The most notable names on her pedigree page come though her second dam, Otravez (Redoute's Choice), who is a half-sister to Listed winner Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}), who is the dam of stallions Shooting To Win and Deep Field. Otravez is also the grandam of Group 1 winner La Luna Rossa (NZ) (Written Tycoon).
She worked home reasonably well at a recent Mornington jump-out and may be one that might need a bit further than the 1000 metres.
