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, we are drawn a trial winner from Kim Waugh’s team at Scone while at Wodonga the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable could be in for a good day with two leading maiden prospects.
Scone Race 3, 2.25pm, Star Turn @ Vinery Maiden, $22,000, 1300m
It’s taken a while to take the race day covers off Sebonna (Sebring), but the wait may prove worthwhile here. The 4-year-old trialled earlier in the year before he was turned out and showed he has come back well, winning a 1000 metre heat at Wyong toward the end of last month.
Sebring, Sire of Sebonna
Trained by Kim Waugh, Sebonna was a $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy and is a son of the multiple winner and stakes performer Epona Princess (Fastnet Rock). She is a half-sister to the G1 Diamond S. and G3 Eclipse S. winner Warhorse (General Nediym) with their dam a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner and sire California Dane.
Wodonga Race 1, 1.30pm, McRae Motors Maiden, $23,000, 1200m
Ferus (Written Tycoon) was a $320,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a brother to the G3 Vamos S. winner Vibrant Rouge with their dam Mirage Rouge (West Point) the mother of three other winners.
Ferus
Prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Ferus performed well at the trials before making his debut at Bairnsdale where he finished fifth and filled the same spot at his only other start at Pakenham. He wasn’t far away on either occasion and with the benefit of race day experience the colt looks primed to go close.
Wodonga Race 2, 2.00pm, Bill McGrath Engineering Maiden, $23,000, 1100m
The Maher-Eustace combination also has an interesting runner in Starden Lass (Denman), whose pedigree features the leading stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire) and the well-credentialled newcomer Pride Of Dubai. The filly’s dam Search The Stars (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) is a half-sister to the multiple winner and G1 Champagne S. runner-up Fast And Sexy (Fastnet Rock) and the family of the G2 Eight Carat S. winner and G1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Contessa Vanessa (Bullbars).
Denman, sire of Starden Lass
Starden Lass will make her first appearance off the back of a second placing at the trials and from an inside gate she should be given every opportunity to shine on debut. Harry Coffey has been entrusted with the ride on the 3-year-old.
