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, we start of at Sale where a promising Lindsay Park 3-year-old looks to break his maiden at Sale and an imported Galileo (Ire) gelding makes his debut for Chris Waller and Yulong. At Newcastle, a Snitzel filly returns to the track looking to back-up some solid 2-year-old form.
Sale Race 1, 12:30pm AEST, Ladbrokes 3YO Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1110m
Zoushack (Zoustar) was well-supported on his debut back in October, finishing fourth in a race won by subsequent stakes-winner in Anaheed (Fastnet Rock). He has been given time by Lindsay Park since then but on the basis of his recent jumpout at Flemington, where he closed off nicely, won’t take long to break the maiden this time in.
Zoustar, sire of Zoushack | Standing at Widden Stud
He was a $250,000 buy for Mirunners at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Out of the unraced Shack (Canny Lad), he is a half-brother to stakes-placed Metonymy (Hotel Grand) as well as four other winners. Shack is a sister to Group 3 winner Peat Bog (Canny Lad) and a half-sister to Group 2 winner Heather (Grand Lodge {USA}).
Sale Race 3, 1:30pm AEST, Ladbrokes Back Yourself Mdn, $35,000, 1623m.
Yulong Place (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was one of 20 horses Yulong purchased out of Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables last year. He debuts here for Chris Waller off a couple of jumpouts which indicate he will need some patience and distance, although he does get the blinkers on to sharpen him up.
Galileo (Ire), sire of Yulong Place
He is out of a stakes-winning Australian mare, Hillfa (Danehill {USA}), who, before she was sold overseas in 2014, produced the stakes-winner Walk With Attitude (Hussonet {USA}). The second dam, Fayfa (Ire) (Slip Anchor {GB}) is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), who is the dam of successful sires Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB).
Newcastle Race 4, 2:25pm AEST, Reward Hospitality Class 1 Hcp, $35,000, 900m
Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) showed plenty in her first campaign for Peter and Paul Snowden to suggest she can progress through her classes this time in. She was fifth at Group 2 level on debut and then stepped back to maiden class at Warwick Farm on heavy track in March, where she was successful. She was third in a recent trial in her preparation for her return to the track.
Wayupinthesky as a yearling
She is out of stakes-placed mare The Darling One (Lonhro), which is the family of black type winners Rain Affair (Commands) and Walk Alone (Honour And Glory {USA}). She was a $400,000 purchase for Kitchwin Hills from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2018 Australian Easter Sale.
