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 zero in at Rosehill on a colt with a hefty price tag, at Wyong a More Than Ready (USA) colt has caught our eye and at Caulfield we’re expecting a filly from the Lindsay Park team to maintain her unbeaten record.
Rosehill Race 1, 11.30am, Everest Carnival H., $125,000, 1100m
The aptly-named Spend (Snitzel) has a rich pedigree and one that came at a high price, with Spendthrift going to $1,550,000 to claim him at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He is a son of Walk With Attitude (Hussonet {USA}), winner of the Listed Hybrid Plate. She is a daughter of the Listed Desirable H. winner Hillfa (Danehill {USA}) with the second dam Fayfa (Ire) (Slip Anchor {GB}) a half-sister to the leading stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire).
Prepared by Team Hawkes, Spend doesn’t have an easy task here but he has looked smart at the trials. The colt is unbeaten after trial appearances at Warwick Farm and at Rosehill and under rider Tommy Berry has a good opportunity to show a return on the investment placed in him.
Spend as a yearling
Wyong Race 3, 12.59pm, Citrus Clean H., $35,000, 1350m
Prince Of Arragon (More Than Ready {USA}) got home well to finish runner-up on this course in his only appearance. That was back in February and trainer John Thompson has given the colt a couple of trials to fit him for his return. From the inside alley rider Blake Spriggs should be able to give him every chance to come back on a winning note.
The youngster is a son of Dynesque (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}), a $900,000 Fasig Tipton Yearling Sale graduate who won once and is a daughter of the G3 Providencia S. winner and Group 1 performer Super Freaky (USA) (Smart Strike {USA}). It is a well-performed North American family and includes the former champion 3-year-old and multiple Group 1 winner Silver Charm (USA) (Silver Buck {USA}).
Caulfield Race 1, 11.15am, Ladbrokes Odds Boost H., $125,000, 1200m
Lady Loire (Not A Single Doubt) was a $240,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and she delivered at the first time of asking with success at Wagga where she rounded off strongly over this trip. She’s drawn the perfect gate to have every chance of maintaining her unbeaten record in the hands of Michael Dee.
Lady Loire as a yearling
The filly is out of the unraced Elusive Quality (USA) mare Vintage Quality who is a half-sister to the Listed Maybe Mahal Plate winner Vintner (Hennessy {USA}) and to the multiple Group 1 placegetter Perfect Drop (Quest For Fame {GB}). Their dam is a half-sister to the former crack filly Triscay (Marscay), who produced the G1 Galaxy H. winner La Baraka (Euclase).
