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 kick off at Hawkesbury where a last start Group 3 placegetter is looking to break his maiden, while at Mornington a Snitzel filly resumes for Pat Carey and a Lindsay Park filly also aims for her first win.
Hawkesbury Race 2, 1:00pm AEST, Angels Florist & JR Corporate Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1100m
In what is a race with a host of high-priced and well-bred horses, Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) stands out as a colt ready to break his maiden. He returned to the track as a 3-year-old last time out in the G3 Vain S. and while beaten by six lengths when 3rd to Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), this looms as a much easier assignment than that for the Team Hawkes galloper.
Dirty Work as a yearling
Spendthrift Australia paid $800,000 for him at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, the 4th highest ever for a yearling by Written Tycoon. His dam, Maidel (Ad Valorem {USA}) is a half-sister to the stakes-winner Meidung (Bernardini {USA}), who has produced the Group 2 winner Banish (Lonhro). It is also the family of Group 2 winner Pinwheel (Lonhro) and further back West Point (Danehill {USA}).
Mornington Race 1, 1:30pm AEST, thebigscreencompany.com.au Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Tantilizer (Snitzel) had three starts as a 2-year-old and was elevated to stakes company her 3rd start before being spelled. She was given a recent Cranbourne trial and sat deep and on the pace before finishing 4th untouched. She heads into this maiden by far the most experienced runner.
Tantilizer as a yearling
She was offered through last year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale but fell short of her $200,000 reserve and was retained to race by her breeder Tony Santic. Her dam Tempting (Dane Shadow) is a full sister to the Group 1 winner Hurtle Myrtle. The other Group 1 winner to feature on the pedigree is Star Watch, who is a full brother to this filly's third dam Winds of Peace (Bletchingly).
Mornington Race 2, 2:00pm AEST, Mornington Car and Tyre Services Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Aneesa (Not A Single Doubt) resumes here for the in-form Lindsay Park operation having showed some potential in her two starts as a 2-year-old. She showed she is quite forward this campaign in a recent barrier trial, sitting on the pace and only being narrowly beaten.
Aneesa as a yearling
A $400,000 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Shadwell, she is out of the Group 1 winning South African mare Trust Antonia (SAF) (National Assembly {SAF}), making her a half-sister to the stakes-performer Huegill (More Than Ready {USA}) as well as four other winners. Trust Antonia is one of three top-flight winners from Loyal Linda (SAF) (Averof GB}), including the champions Successful Bidder (SAF) and Gold Flier (SAF).
