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 focus on a Bjorn Baker-trained maiden on the verge of winning form and a well-credentialled colt from Gerald Ryan’s stable at Wyong, while at the Ballarat meeting we like the chances of a New Zealand-trained 3-year-old with an international pedigree.
Wyong Race 1, 12.55pm, Priority Business Lawyers Maiden, $35,000, 1350m
Canasta (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) was a €31,000 purchase at the La Teste Yearling Sale and he’s made a bright start to his career since his arrival from France. He was extensively trialled before he finished runner-up on debut in July and was again second when he stepped out again last month. The 4-year-old doesn’t meet a daunting line-up and with Nash Rawiller in the saddle they look a strong combination.
Makfi (GB), sire of Canasta | Standing for Japan Bloodstock Breeders’ Association
Trained by Bjorn Baker, Canasta is a son of the unraced Janistra (USA) (Grand Slam {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Exotic Wood (USA) (Rahy {USA}) and the stakes winner Key To Power (USA) (AP Indy {USA}). It’s a well-performed black type family that also includes stakes winners Underwood (USA) (Old Fashioned {USA}), Bold Fantasy (USA) (Bertrando {USA}) and JD And Water (USA) (Northern Prospect {USA}).
Wyong Race 2, 1.35pm, Bishop Collins Accountants Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Zell (I Am Invincible) brings a rich pedigree to the table as a son of the unraced Viennese Lass (Redoute’s Choice), whose four foals to race have all won and include the black type winner Viennese Star (I Am Invincible). Their dam is out of a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and champion stallion Snitzel and to the Group 3 winner and ill-fated sire Hinchinbrook.
Zell as a yearling
A $400,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate, Zell has been given a couple of quiet trials by trainer Gerald Ryan and finished fourth in the most recent one at Rosehill. He has a tricky draw, although his task has been made easier by scratchings and gets an opportunity to let his pedigree do the talking.
Ballarat Race 3, 2.30pm, Hertz Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Long Jack (So You Think {NZ}) makes his Australian debut here for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and looked a progressive type last season. He was runner-up on debut before finishing second behind stablemate Rhaegar (Pluck {USA}) in the Listed Futurity S.
So You Think (NZ), sire of Long Jack | Standing at Coolmore
Rhaegar has since run fourth to another barn mate in Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) in the G3 Ming Dynasty so Long Jack boasts a glowing form line. He is out of Extravaganza (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), who is a sister to the G3 Royal Ascot Tercentenary S. winner Energizer (Ger) and the family of other Group 3 winners A Thread Of Blue (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}) and Norman Invader (USA) (War Chant {USA}).
