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, we have found a well-related youngster and a high-priced yearling to follow at Ballina and at Mildura we like the chances of a debutante from Patrick Payne’s in-form stable.
Ballina Race 1, 12.15pm, Weddings @ Ballina JC Maiden, $22,000, 1010m
Leshrac (Rubick) finished third on debut at Doomben earlier this year and was then put away after running fifth at Eagle Farm. Time looks to have been the colt’s friend as he won and placed at the trials to have him ready to go again. He was ridden both times by Robbie Fradd who sticks with the youngster and from a handy draw they make strong appeal.
Trained by Matt Dunn, Leshrac is out of Fine Cuban (Flying Spur), whose dam Super Seleccion (Can) (Seattle Slew {USA}) is a three-quarter sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Slew City Slew (USA). It’s also the family of the G3 BTC Classic winner Havana (Starcraft {NZ}) and the promising Listed Brian Crowley S. winner Diplomatico (Snitzel).
Rubick, sire of Leshrac
Ballina Race 2, 12.50pm, The Kosciuszko Tickets on Sale H., $22,000, 1010m
Spirit Of Indigo (I Am Invincible) was a $540,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a daughter of the Listed Redelva S. winner Hooness (Exceed And Excel) and all three of her foals to race have been successful. The dam is out of a half-sister to the Listed Silk Stocking H. winner Feelers (Quest For Fame {GB}) and she is the mother of the stakes winners Tromso (Lonhro) and Kamacite (Northern Meteor).
Spirit Of Indigo as a yearling
Trained by Toby Edmonds, Spirit Of Indigo was a trial winner last year and subsequently stepped out twice in the summer for two minor placings. She has been given a couple of trials to fit her for her return and placed in the most recent one at Beaudesert.
Mildura Race 1, 1.00pm, TAC – Be Ready Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Kaarchi (Shooting To Win) makes her first start here for Patrick Payne and from an inside gate she looks set to give a strong account of herself. She has turned in two encouraging trials and was ridden in her first appearance by Billy Egan, who takes the reins again.
Kaarchi as a yearling
A $120,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Kaarchi is out of Miss Fidler (Royal Academy {USA}) who is a half-sister to the G1 Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow). Their dam Ravenswood (Woodman {USA}) is a half-sister to the Listed Chairman’s S, winner Whisper Bay (Royal Academy {USA}) and the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner and sire Star Watch.
