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 Saturday, we look at a tidily-bred Gerald Ryan debutante at Newcastle, a lightly-tried youngster at Flemington and at Eagle Farm we like a 2-year-old from a Group 1 North American family.
Newcastle Race 1, 12.11pm, Tripac PVC Maiden, $35,000, 900m
Pixel Perfect (Snitzel) is a half-sister to four winners with their dam the unraced Zabeel (NZ) mare Pixels . She is a daughter of the stakes winner and G2 Silver Shadow S. winner Snapshots (Success Express), who is a sister to the dam of the three-time Group 1 winners Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Lady Dehere (NZ) (Dehere {USA}).
Trained by Gerald Ryan, Pixel Perfect has showed steady improvement at the trials and is from a stable noted for 2-year-old success. The filly might be worth taking a chance on first-up with Travis Wolfgram to guide her fortunes.
Snitzel, sire of Pixel Perfect
Flemington Race 1, 11.40am, Gippsland Region H., $125,000, 1400m
Noble Flight (Fastnet Rock) is a son of Fulminate (Encosta de Lago), who was successful five times up to 1500 metres and she is a half-sister to the multiple stakes winner and G1 Queen of the Turf S. runner-up Illuminates (Strategic). It’s the family of the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Travel Light (NZ) (Bellissimo {Fr}) and the G1 Flight S. winner Only A Lady (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}).
Prepared at Lindsay Park, Noble Flight was a strong second two runs back behind The Astrologist (Zoustar), a race rival again and meets him four kilos better off this time. At his most recent appearance, Noble Flight was third on a heavy track at Mornington and will appreciate a better surface and can offer each-way value.
Noble Flight as a yearling
Eagle Farm Race 2, 11.45am, Listed Winning Edge Presentations S., $125,000, 1400m
Snazz ‘n’ Charm (Snitzel) was a $200,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase and hails from a well-performed North American family. His dam was a winner and is a half-sister to the G1 Del Mar Oaks and G1 Matriarch S. winner Tout Charmant (USA) (Slewvescent {USA}) and the G2 Barbara Fritchie S. winner Dancing House (USA) (Tapit {USA}).
Trained by Matthew Dunn, Snazz ‘n’ Charm won both of his trials before he made his debut on the Kensington track where he made ground strongly to finish runner-up to the highly-regarded Leviathan (Zoustar). He will be all the better for the experience and can go one better from an inside gate for jockey Robbie Fradd.
Snazz 'n' Charm as a yearling
