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.
Today, we focus on a pair of promising 3-year-olds in action at Flemington and a couple of leading maiden prospects in New Zealand.
Flemington Rose Of May Handicap $40,000 1420m 2.10pm
Judging by his first-up display, Prism (All Too Hard) can make his mark in a higher grade. He was a smart debut winner at Geelong for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig and the 3-year-old will again be ridden by Regan Bayliss.
He is a son of the Scenic (IRE) mare Belscenica, who was more than handy and won seven races and placed in the G2 Stocks S. She is a half-sister to the Listed Seymour Cup winner Bel Thor (God’s Own) from the family of the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S., winner and G1 Golden Slipper S., runner-up Von Costa De Hero (Encosta de Lago).
Flemington Kennedy Oaks Trial $60,000 1800m 3.55pm
Matt Cumani’s Pressure (NZ) (Jakkalberry {IRE}) faces a rises in class here, but she looks up to the task. She placed in her first two appearances before appreciating the step up to a middle distance at Cranbourne where she won her maiden in convincing fashion.
She is the first winner for her dam Presslist (Librettist {USA}), who is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) and Pressday (Domesday). It is also the family of the G1 Avondale Gold Cup winner The Mighty Lions (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}).
Matamata Sam Collett Champion Jockey Maiden $10,000 1400m 1.07pm
Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a brother to the champion filly and dual Group 1 Australian Derby and Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker (NZ) and the G2 The Roses S., winner Bohemian Lily (NZ) and a half-brother to the G1 Auckland Cup winner Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) so he has a lot to live up to.
He has displayed encouraging early signs for Stephen Marsh with a couple of solid trial showings. He won his latest at Avondale earlier this month in the hands of Danielle Johnson. She rides the colt again and from an inside gate he should get every opportunity to show he has inherited a measure of the family ability.
Matamata Waikato Stud-Six Time Breeder of the Year Maiden $10,000 1400m 4.39pm
Harbourside (NZ) has looked good in a brief career for Tony Pike and he has an ideal opportunity here to break through. He was runner-up to the subsequent stakes performer Qiji Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) at his second appearance last season and he was a sound fourth when resuming in a competitive special conditions event at Hastings.
Bred by Qatar Bloodstock and a NZ$57,500 Karaka purchase, he is out of Scattered Dreams (Redoute’s Choice), who is from the family of the two-time Group 1 winner Miracles Of Life (Not A Single Doubt). Group 2 winners Sumstreetsumwhere (NZ) (Highly Recommended) and Exclusive Halo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) also feature on Harbourside’s pedigree page.
