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.
On Friday, a former Lloyd Williams horse is hoping to break his maiden and a long-awaited debut for a Jamie Edwards gelding at Ararat.
Newcastle Race 4, Guardian Safety Solutions Mdn, $35,000, 3:40pm AEDT
Elgin (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) is ready to break his maiden tag jumping up to 1600m for the first time since joining the Kris Lees stable. He started his career with owner Lloyd Williams but was sold for $160,000 in an online sale and has been close up in two runs in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
Elgin breezing up as a 2 year old.
He's had a few homes this now four-year-old, having been sold for $120,000 at Karaka as a yearling before being picked up at the 2016 Ready To Run Sale by James Harron.
He is bred to stay being out of a half-sister to the dam of G1 SA Derby winner Zabeelionaire (Zabeel) and Queensland Oaks winner Gondokoro (Zabeel).
Ararat Race 1, TAC Be Race Ready Mdn, $23,000, 1:30pm AEDT
Talking about horses which have had a few homes, Benatari (Written Tycoon) makes his debut at Ararat, having been sold twice as a yearling and once as a 2-year-old. He has also had a stable shift to Victoria since winning a trial impressively at Newcastle last November.
Initially a $100,000 Premier Sale buy, he went through the ring again at the Gold Coast National Sale for the same price before ending up in the NZB Ready To Run Sale, where he sold for $150,000.
He has some black type on the pedigree too, with his dam We Belong (Reset), a half sister to the multiple stakes winner Conservatorium (Royal Academy {USA}).
Benatari as a two year old preparing for the NZB Ready To Run Sale.
