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 like the chances of a lightly-tried filly from the Paul Perry barn and an expensive yearling on debut at Muswellbrook while at Echuca an Anthony Freedman youngster has a pedigree to suggest he’s going to be hard to bowl.
Muswellbrook Race 2, 1.35pm, Greg Cribb Memorial, $27,000, 900m
Red Light Dancer (Choisir) showed significant improvement on her debut fifth on a soft track at Gunnedah to finish runner-up at Cessnock on firmer ground. The filly raced on the speed on both occasions and from a good draw over this trip she gets a gilt-edged opportunity to open her account.
Prepared by Group 1 winning trainer Paul Perry, Red Light Dancer is a half-sister to the G2 Sunline S. and G2 PB Lawrence S. winner Miss De Lago (Encosta de Lago) with their dam the Fasliyev (USA) mare Crimson Dawn {GB}). She is a daughter of the G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Mail The Desert (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}) and the family of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and the Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S. winner Good Faith (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}).
Red Light Dancer as a yearling
Muswellbrook Race 3, 2.10pm, MRS Services H., $22,000, 1280m
The Premier (Snitzel) boasts a rich pedigree that came with a $620,000 price tag at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. The colt is a son of Mightier (Zabeel {NZ}), who is out of the stakes winner and Group performer Miss Power Bird (Mukaddamah {USA}). She is a half-sister to the G1 Hong Kong Mile winner Lucky Owners (Danehill {USA}) and to the dam of the multiple top-flight winner Mosheen (Fastnet Rock).
The Premier as a yearling
Trained by Kris Lees, The Premier had a couple of trials last year and was then put aside to develop and strengthen. His most recent trial showed the benefit of a patient approach when he finished runner-up over 1000 metres at Wyong and from a good draw rider Andrew Gibbons will be able to give the 3-year-old every chance to make an impact on debut.
Echuca Race 1, 12.00pm, Echuca CHI Maiden, $35,000, 1100m
Anthony Freedman has enjoyed a successful season with the 2-year-old members of his stable and Lake’s Folly (Pierro) might add to his tally here. The youngster finished a close third in his only trial at Werribee and from a good gate he can give a bold showing at the first time of asking in the hands of Clayton Douglas.
Lake's Folly as a yearling
Lake’s Folly was a $200,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate and is out of the stakes-winning 2-year-old Mama’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice). Her dam Red Hot Mama (General Nediym) was also successful at black type level as a juvenile and is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Hollow Bullet (Tayasu Tsuyoshi {Jpn}), who has produced the recent G1 JJ Atkins placegetter Reloaded (Snitzel).
