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 Thursday, a pair of youngsters from the leading stables of Peter and Paul Snowden and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott look leading prospects at Gosford while at Ballarat we like the chances of a Lindsay Park filly on her return from a break.
Gosford Race 4, 2.05pm, Domain Property Group Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
A sparkling international pedigree will be on show when California August (Fastnet Rock) makes his second appearance for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. A brother to stakes performer Lady Young, he is out of Port Augusta (Encosta de Lago). She is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and producer Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and his Group 3 winning sister and elite level performer Milanova, who is the dam of the G3 Cork Munster Oaks winner Pretty Perfect (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
A $500,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, California August had a couple of trials before he went to Kembla Grange where he raced on the speed and fought on well to finish third. From an inside gate, rider Sam Clipperton should be able to give him a cosy run and with the benefit of a run the gelding looks particularly hard to hold out.
California August as a yearling
Gosford Race 6, 3.15pm, Ettalong Diggers Maiden, $40,000, 1000m
Battle Guardian (Fighting Sun) has had a couple of trial outings at Randwick and finished third in his first appearance before he won a 1045 metre heat on heavy going. He has drawn ideally in gate three to show his pace and with Blake Shinn in the saddle look a combination to follow.
Fighting Sun, sire of Battle Guardian | Standing at Sun Stud
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the 2-year-old is a son of Devils Arcade (Snowland) who won five races and was a multiple stakes placegetter. It is a well-performed family that features the presence of the former champion Singapore galloper Better Than Ever (French Deputy (USA) and the Australian Group winners Swiss Echo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) and Felines (Conatus).
Ballarat Race 4, 2.30, Polytrack Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
Swan Island (Spirit Of Boom) took on some hot 2-year-old races earlier in the season with her best effort a debut fourth in the G3 Chairman’s S. behind the talented Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible). She ended her first preparation with a fifth at Seymour and with the benefit of a break and a drop back in grade she can resume on a winning note.
Swan Island as a yearling
Prepared by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Swan Island was a $200,000 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale graduate and is out of the unraced Ossie’s Secret (Red Dazzler), who has left two winners and she is a half-sister to the Listed Phelan Ready S, winner Jantzen (Johannesburg {USA}). Their dam Ozzie Cossie (Mister C {USA}) was also a stakes winner and the family of the dual Group 3 winner Natural Destiny (Naturalism {NZ}).
