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.
A trio of runners at Ballarat and Gunnedah appear to have the credentials to be worth following in their respective assignments on Sunday, as well as in future starts in the weeks and months ahead.
Ballarat, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, The Haymarket 3YO Fillies' Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1100m
A breakthrough looks close for the Godolphin filly Mashrabiya (Teofilo {Ire}), who will be ridden by Ben Allen on Sunday for trainer James Cummings.
The chestnut filly has finished second in all of her three previous starts – at Wyong and Newcastle last September, and then at Kembla Grange in January. She has also shown bright promise in her trials, winning at Hawkesbury in August along with two placings at the same venue.
Teofilo (Ire), sire of Mashrabiya | Standing at Darley Europe
Mashrabiya is by the influential Teofilo (Ire), sire of 98 stakes winners worldwide including the likes of Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter (GB) and star Australian performers Happy Clapper, Humidor (NZ) and Kermadec (NZ).
The dam of Mashrabiya is Screen (Lonhro), whose seven wins included the G3 Golden Pendant in Sydney. She also placed in the Listed Darley Crown at Hawkesbury, and she is the dam of three winners including two black-type performers.
Mashrabiya’s half-brother Inquiry (Exceed And Excel) is a 10-race winner including the Listed Spear Chief H., while Cloak (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has won seven races and placed in the G3 Newcastle Spring S.
Gunnedah, Race 3, 1.25pm AEST, TKM Engineering Pty Ltd Showcase Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1400m
This race features the promising and well-related 3-year-old Metal Bar (No Nay Never {USA}), who was bought for $400,000 from Coolmore Stud’s draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Metal Bar is a half-brother to two stakes performers – Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt), who won the 2017 Caulfield Guineas, as well as the multiple Listed placegetter Shiralee (Stratum).
The grandam of Metal Bar is La Volta (Laranto), who won the G1 Australasian Oaks and is also the grandam of Group 2 winners Catch A Fire (Sebring) and Seaburge (Sebring).
Metal Bar as a yearling
Metal Bar is by No Nay Never (USA), who has quickly made a massive impact at stud and commands a service fee of €125,000 (AU$197,639) at Coolmore Stud in Ireland this year. He has already sired 28 stakes winners worldwide, including the multiple New Zealand stakes winner Need I Say More, plus G1 July Cup winner and exciting shuttle stallion prospect Ten Sovereigns (Ire).
Metal Bar began his career with Archie Alexander, for whom he finished eighth on debut on April 1 before a vastly improved performance for a close fourth at Echuca two weeks later.
The gelding is now trained by Jeremy Sylvester and will be ridden by Luke Rolls.
Ballarat, Race 4, 2.05pm AEST, Global Turf F&M BM64 H., $35,000, 1400m
Talented mare Lady In The Sky (NZ) (Savabeel) resumes here for trainer Michael Moroney, with apprentice jockey Tayla Childs claiming 3kgs to reduce her weight to 58kgs.
The 4-year-old has had 10 starts to date for two wins, a second and four thirds, and she found a rich vein of form last spring and early summer – winning at Pakenham on October 16, followed by a second at Ballarat, third at Sandown, a win at Sandown in early December, and a third at Caulfield on January 2.
Lady In The Sky (NZ) as a yearling
She may find the 1400 metres short of her best distance on Sunday, but is capable of running a bold race in a fresh state and is likely to come into her own over the next couple of months.
Lady In The Sky was bought for NZ$230,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock from White Robe Lodge at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
She is by New Zealand’s six-time Champion sire Savabeel, and her dam Include (NZ) (Gallant Guru) won 10 races including the Listed Dunedin Guineas and Southland Guineas. Lady In The Sky is her only named foal.
