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 Sunday, we like the chances at Mudgee of a pair of lightly-tried 3-year-olds boasting strong pedigrees while at Sale we focus on a colt, who is a half-brother to a Group 1 winner from last season.
Mudgee Race 2, 2.10pm, Woolpack Hotel Maiden, $22,000, 1200m
Bigger Than Thorn (Snitzel) is a half-brother to the G3 Nakayama Lord Derby Challenge Trophy winner Fiano Romano (Fastnet Rock) and their dam Heart Ashley (USA) (Lion Heart {USA}) was a two-time Group 3 winner in North America. She is a half-sister to the G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup winner Cupid (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and the family of the multiple Group 3 winner Hostess (USA) (Chester House {USA}).
Bigger Than Thorn as a yearling
A $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Bigger Than Thorn was a trial winner for trainer Brad Widdup before he made his first appearance at Hawkesbury. He didn’t disappoint and made ground to run third over 1000 metres so a little further should be right up the colt’s alley.
Mudgee Race 5, 4.00pm, Federal Hotel H., $22,000, 1200m
Twilight Sun (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) was a tidy trial winner at Rosehill and carried that form over to race day at the first time of asking. The chestnut was at short odds at Nowra and justified his support with victory and while he is up in class, he does look a progressive type.
Akeed Mofeed, sire of Twilight Sun
Prepared by Bjorn Baker, Twilight Sun is a brother to the promising Twilight Run who has won twice from a handful of starts and finished 3rd in last season’s Listed Tasmanian Derby. Their dam Twilighting (Desert Sun {GB}) was a stakes performer and is out of a sister to the G1 Winfield Classic winner Achushla Marie (NZ) (Lord Ballina) and the family of the G1 Emirates S. winner Hucklebuck (Elvstroem).
Sale Race 3, 1.40pm, Carlton Draught Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
The Ladies Man (Zoustar) is a half-brother to stablemate and G1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) and the colt has had one trial, in which he finished 3rd. He was ridden by Ben Allen, who has the mount again, and with the benefit of an inside gate looks worthy of support.
The Ladies Man as a yearling
Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, The Ladies Man was a $220,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a son of Zighy Bay (USA) (Tapit {USA}). She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Mozu Superflare (USA) (Speightstown) and Sacristy (USA) (Pulpit) with the G1 Acorn S. winner Jersey Girl (USA) (Belong To Me) and her G1 Cigar Mile H. winning half-brother Jersey Town (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) are also members of this family.
