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.
We first look to an all-American made angel at The Valley with hope that she can continue her winning ways having broken a string of seconds, before a returning Gary Portelli's Maurice (Jpn) colt looks to get his form back on track at Rosehill, then it's back to The Valley where an All Too Hard filly looks to make it three in a row.
Moonee Valley, Race 2, 1.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes H., $130,000, 1600m
Americain Angel, 4-year-old mare (Americain {USA} x Whispering Angel {USA} {Not A Single Doubt})
Americain Angel has been in the money for all but one of her starts, running midfield in the G1 Australian Oaks and comes into this off a last-start win, with Jamie Kah again riding the Danny O’Brien-trained mare from Not A Single Doubt mare Whispering Angel (USA).
Americain (USA) | Standing at Daisy Hill Stud
She is the great-granddaughter of Collant Noir (Lunchtime {GB}), the dam of three-time Group 1 winner Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}) and Group 1-placed Pursuits (Quest For Fame {GB}).
Rosehill Gardens, Race 5, 2.45pm AEDT, Midway H., $100,000, 1300m
Akihiro, 3-year-old colt (Maurice {Jpn} x Lahana {Hussonet {USA}})
Trainer Gary Portelli gave his Akihiro props just last week and brings him back to the track here with Jason Collett on board. He’ll jump from gate two.
Akihiro has had two wins from his 11 starts and hasn’t been far off them at Group level, although was found wanting at his last start in the G1 Victoria Derby.
Akihiro as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A grandson of Blue Diamond S. winner Alinghi (Encosta De Lago), Akihiro was an $80,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast buy for Portelli Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft in 2020.
Moonee Valley, Race 5, 3pm AEDT, Chandler Macleod VOBIS Gold Carat, $175,000, 1200m
Danny’s St Darci, 3-year-old filly (All Too Hard x Darcibelle {NZ} {Darci Brahma {NZ}})
Looking to make it three in a row, the Archie Alexander-trained filly will have her work cut out for her making up ground on Luna Cat (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) who beat her by 3l last time they met here.
All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud
But the filly out of a half-sister to Group 2 winner Twilight Royale (Testa Rosa) has since put two good wins together, including one at The Valley and another over fellow runner Rusheen (Toronado {Ire}).
Looking Back
Our Friday selections returned a fourth-placing to Armstrong Bay (Keep The Faith) at Hamilton, then Seeni (Snitzel) at Scone ran sixth and Sandpaper (Snitzel), in a five-horse field at Canterbury Park, won for James Cummings and Hugh Bowman.
