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 analyse the prospects of a maiden contender and a one-win performer at the Taree meeting and a sparingly-raced 3-year-old at Dubbo.
Tatura Varopido Family Italian Plate $23,000 1000m 12.30pm
Stryke A Star (Stryker) finished sixth on debut before a break and he returned to run a solid third when resuming. The 3-year-old ‘s preparation has been topped off with a trial outing at the end of last month and he looks a leading prospect to shed his novice tag here.
A $20,000 Inglis Melbourne VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale buy, Stryke A Star is a son of the winning Octagonal (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) mare Esoterical (NZ), whose dam is a half-sister to the G2 Crystal Mile winner Holy Roller (Sanction) and to the mother of the multiple Group 2 winner Hosannah (Octagonal).
Stryke A Star as a yearling
Tatura Rushton Park H $20,000 1000m 3.00pm
Ashtrain (Oamaru Force) is the first winner for Bel Franc (Bel Esprit), who is a half-sister to the G1 Waikato Sprint and G1 Canterbury Guineas winner Western Red (NZ) (Spectacular Love {USA}). It is also the family of the G1 Levin Classic runner-up Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj).
A trial winner at the end of October, Ashtrain was then successful over 1000 metres at Euchuca to open his account at the second time of asking. The 3-year-old has drawn ideally and senior jockey Daniel Stackhouse takes the reins for trainer Dan McCarthy.
Ashtrain pictured as a yearling
Dubbo Tunes On Track H $22,000 1100m 4.15pm
The lightly-raced Havenot (Hinchinbrook) has the right credentials to make her presence felt in this for trainer Allan Denham and rider Greg Ryan. She was a trial winner at Newcastle before a first-up win on a heavy track at Taree and showed her versatility with a following second on a good surface at Poet Macquarie.
Havenot’s dam Petulie (Magic Albert) won on three occasions and is out of an unraced half-sister to the five-time Group 1 winner Triscay (Marscay), in turn the mother of the G1 Galaxy H., winner La Baraka (Euclase). It is also the family of the Group 1 winners Defier (Dehere {USA}) and Demerger (Saithor {USA}).
