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 Tuesday, a promising 2-year-old steps up in distance for Lindsey Smith at Ballarat, Toby Edmonds looks to an I Am invincible 3-year-old to break his maiden at Ballina, while Mitch Beer has a well-bred Snitzel 3-year-old in at his home track of Albury.
Ballarat Race 2, 1:30pm AEST, Eclipse Ford Mdn, $23,000, 1500m
Olympic Oath (Olympic Glory {Ire}) impressed on debut at Bendigo recently, responding to heavy riding on the turn to charge home into second. He is one of a host of Spicer Thoroughbred horses who are now prepared by Lindsey Smith, who has recently set-up his Victorian base at Warrnambool.
Olympic Oath as a yearling
He is the third most expensive Australian-bred yearling for his sire, having cost Spicer and then trainer Darren Weir $260,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is half-brother to the six-time winner Skytastic (Choisir) out of the Zabeel (NZ) mare, Flighty. She is turn is out of the Group 1 winning mare Flitter (Bluebird {USA}), which is also to family of Group 2 winner Jessy Belle (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Ballina Race 3, 2:05pm AEST, Ace Ohlsson Bangalow Mdn, $22,000, 1005m
Toby Edmonds brings two I Am Invincible 3-year-olds here owned by Segenhoe in Heritage Sash and Spirit Of Indigo. Heritage Sash resumes of a couple of promising runs at Ipswich and Grafton last campaign and has performed well enough in recent trials to suggest he can break his maiden here.
Heritage Sash as a yearling
He was a $190,000 purchase at the 2017 Classic Sale, with his breeder Segenhoe retaining a share in him. He is out of five-time winner Spurs and Sashes (Flying Spur), who is a half-sister to Group winners Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}) and Vivi Veloce (More Than Ready {USA}) out of the black-type winner Royal Sash (Royal Academy {USA}).
Albury Race 4, 3:05pm AEST, Albury Demolitions Hcp, $22,000, 1175m.
Logan River (Snitzel) was a one-time $250,000 yearling, who is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Colour (More Than Ready {USA}) out of the stakes-winning mare Regrowth (Unbridled Song {USA}). That's the family of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Forensics (Flying Spur) as well as successful stallions Snippets and Not A Single Doubt.
Logan River as a yearling
He started out his career with Tony McEvoy but now finds himself at Albury with Mitch Beer and he drops back from a Highway race at Randwick to contest what looks a pretty winnable handicap at his home track. This is his third run in and he looks ready to bounce back to winning form.
