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 have a well-bred 2-year-old for Sunday’s racing, looking to get off the mark, and over in New Zealand Guy Lowry has a 3-year-old filly who looks primed to win as she returns from a break.
Awapuni Synthetic, Race 4, 12.15pm AEST (2.15pm local), Paradigm Civil Limited 1000, NZ$14,000, 1000m
Eparaima (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Per Incanto {USA} x Eva Godiva {Redoute’s Choice})
Returning from a break, Guy Lowry’s 3-year-old filly Eparaima (NZ) makes her third start on the synthetic surface at Awapuni on Sunday. The daughter of Per Incanto (USA) made her debut in the G3 Gold Trail S. at Hastings last September and followed that up with a third in a maiden at Cambridge.
Per Incanto (USA) | Standing at Little Avondale Stud
She was bred and is retained in a partnership led by Mick Ormond, she is the only foal to race from Eva Godiva (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to G1 Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Group 2 winner Rios (NZ) (Hussonet {USA}).
Resuming since her last start in October, Eparaima bids to break her maiden facing nine rivals on Sunday and will have Kate Hercock on board as she jumps from barrier three.
Mudgee, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr Memorial 2YO H., $27,000, 1100m
Moritz Girl, 2-year-old filly (Maurice {Jpn} x Shacked Up {Not A Single Doubt})
Out of two-time winner Shacked Up, Moritz Girl was purchased by her trainer Annabel Neasham and Lizzie Jelfs Bloodstock at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $350,000 and will make her debut at Mudgee on Sunday off the back of two trials, having finished fourth in the latest of those at Rosehill.
Moritz Girl as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Moritz Girl is the first foal from Shacked Up, who is a three-quarter sister to G1 TJ Smith S. winner Master Of Design, and a half-sister to South African Group 1 winner Suntagonal (Octagonal {NZ}).
She will carry 55.5kg under Jett Stanley who claims 1.5kg on Sunday, and the pair will jump from barrier five.
Looking Back
There was no luck for Saturday's selections, all debutants. Gates (Frankel {GB}) managed just seventh at Sandown, Money Team (I Am Invincible) was only ninth at the Sunshine Coast whilst Lunasha (Shalaa {Ire}) was last at Morphettville.
