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 Sunday, we have identified a high-priced yearling with a strong chance at the Wagga meeting and at Bendigo we focus on a well-related first-timer and a resuming 3-year-old from a smart New Zealand family.
Wagga Race2, 1.35pm, XXXX Gold Maiden, $22,000, 1200m
Allied Forces (Not A Single Doubt) was a disappointing sixth on debut and then showed vast improvement last time out to finish third. He raced on the pace and battled on solidly in an effort that suggested he is now ready to post the first winning strike of his career.
Trained by Chris Hardy, the chestnut was a $350,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a brother to the stakes performer Sanadaat. Their dam is It’s Fun is an unraced daughter of Real Quiet (USA) and a half-sister to the dam of the former champion Singapore sprinter Zac Spirit (Quest For Fame {GB}). It is also the family of the multiple Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice).
Allied Forces as a yearling
Bendigo Race 1, 12.05pm, The Big Screen Company Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
Alqaab (Epaulette) hasn’t been seen out at any official trials, but the colt has the pedigree to suggest that he’ll be worth following. The facilities that trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have at Lindsay Park will ensure the 2-year-old will be ready to give this his best shot.
He is the first foal to the races for Taghrooda (Street Cry {Ire}), who was successful over 1100 metres, and she is a half-sister to the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. winner Rewaaya (Singspiel {Ire}), who was placed a further four times at the elite level. The family also has the G1 Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion (Street Sense {USA}) within its ranks.
Bendigo Race 2, 12,45pm, No Fuss Event Hire Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
So He Rules (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) is a son of She Rules (NZ) (Commands), who won seven races including the G3 Cuddle S. and was a Group 2 placegetter. Her dam She’s Country (NZ) (Kenfair) won the G1 New Zealand Oaks and produced the mother of the stakes winner Anaheim (Fastnet Rock). Under the second dam is the G3 Victoria H. winner Country Lane (Success Express {USA}) and the pedigree also features the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Khulasaa (Epaulette).
So He Rules is prepared by Peter Gelagotis and the 3-year-old was turned out after a fair effort when seventh on debut at Pakenham where he finished less than four lengths off the winner. He has trialled at Casterton to ready him for his return and he might offer some each-way value in an open affair.
So He Rules (NZ) as a yearling
