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 Friday, a Kris Lees-trained filly with a pacy pedigree and an import with a Group 1 connection in Australia have taken our eye at Taree while at Pakenham we like the prospects of a well-related colt on debut.
Taree Race 1, 12.15pm, De Bortoli Wines Maiden, $22,000, 1250m
Cerinthe Belle (Uncle Mo {USA}) did enough on debut to suggest she can show sharp improvement for trainer Kris Lees. She had placed at the trials before making late ground over 1000 metres at Musswelbrook and from a handy gate with Andrew Gibbons again in the saddle they look a strong each-way player.
The filly is a daughter of Cerinthe (Exceed And Excel), a former $440,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale graduate who won twice and she is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and former champion 2-year-old Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee {USA}). It’s also the family of Sookie (Casino Prince), who won the G3 Glenlogan Park S. and produced this season Listed Phoenix S. winner Shadow Hero (Pierro).
Cerinthe Belle as a yearling
Taree Race 5, 2.40, Saxby’s Soft Drinks Maiden, $22,000, 1300m
Kim Waugh will saddle an interesting runner in this with Calm The Fire (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) to make his Australian debut. From an international family that has already made its mark in this part of the world, the 3-year-old has showed enough at the trials with a couple of placings to take his chances seriously.
Calm The Fire was bought by Hubie De Burgh for 25,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Sale and is out of the unraced Mama Rocco (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Prix de Royallieu winner Mouramara (Ire) (Khayasi {Ire}). She is the dam of the G1 Sydney Cup winner Mourayan (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}) who was also a three-time Group 1 runner-up. The pedigree also features the G2 Lancashire Oaks winner and multiple top-flight placegetter Endless Time (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
Pakenham Race 1, 1.00pm, racing.com Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Fortyfive Parklane (Written Tycoon) was a $210,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and his dam Rococco (Fastnet Rock) won three times up to a mile. She is a half-sister to five winners and is from the family of the G1 Galaxy H. winner Black Bean (Raami {GB}), who was also a Group 1 runner-up in the Newmarket H. and Lightning S.
Fortyfive Parklane as a yearling
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent, Fortyfive Parklane has enough speed in his pedigree to point to a bold first-up performance. The colt hasn’t been sent to any public trials and while he may need some luck from a tricky gate, he might just be one to take a chance on.
