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 Saturday, we like the chances at Randwick of an impressive debut winner, a Group performer looks an outstanding chance to continue her form Kembla Grange while at The Valley we’re siding with a 3-year-old boasting a strong international pedigree.
Randwick Race 1, 12.10pm, Strawberry Hill Stud H., $125,000, 1300m
Yao Dash (Smart Missile) is shaping as a smart purchase for Dynamic Syndications, who secured him for $90,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was a runaway winner at the first time of asking last month at Canterbury where he accounted for the highly-regarded Petronius (Redoute’s Choice) and he franked the form this week with a smart win on the Kensington track.
Yao Dash as a yearling
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Yao Dash is the first foal of Rahy Storm (USA) (Rahy {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the black type winner The Rectifier (USA) (Langfuhr {Can}). Their dam is a half-sister to the G2 Top Flight H. winner Rahy’s Appeal (USA) (Rahy {USA}) and the family of the G2 La Troienne S. winner and G1 Personal Ensign H. runner-up Authenticity (USA) (Quiet American {USA}).
Kembla Grange Race 2, 1.09pm, Kembla Grange Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
Mayaseeh (Exceed And Excel) appeals as a strong chance to follow up her resuming victory at Newcastle with apprentice Ceejay Graham retaining the ride. The filly performed well last season in much better company and was third on debut in the G3 Gimcrack S. before finishing seventh in the G3 Widden S. less than 3.5l off the winner.
Exceed And Excel, sire of Mayaseeh
Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, Mayaseeh is a daughter of Maysoon (Eavesdropper {USA}), who has a deep pedigree. It’s a family that includes the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. winner Te Akau Coup (NZ) (Thorn Park) and the G3 Vanity S. winner Alzora (Redoute’s Choice) while the third dam is a half-sister to the American Triple Crown winner and influential sire Seattle Slew (USA) (Bold Reasoning {USA}).
The Valley Race 1, 12.30pm, Ladbrokes Odds Boost H., $135,000, 1500m
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Cheptegei (Tavistock {NZ}) came off a soft trial to win on debut at Wangaratta over 1400 metres and achieved in such a style to suggest he can make his mark in stronger company. He also has the pedigree to back his claims over longer trips.
Cheptegei as a yearling
Cheptegei was a $200,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-brother to seven winners, including the Group performer Flying Sardine (Flying Spur). Their dam is the Zabeel (NZ) mare Julez and she has an international pedigree as a daughter of the G3 Sixty Sails H. winner Princess Polonia (USA) (Danzig {USA}). She has produced three black type winners and is from the family of the G3 Meydan Firebreak S. winner Confrontation (USA) (War Pass {USA}).
