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 look at the chances of two well-related maidens at Coffs Harbour while at the Bendigo meeting there will be plenty of interest in the reappearance of a colt with a $2.3 million price tag.
Coffs Harbour Race 3, 2.10pm, Regional Australia Bank H., $22,000, 1315m
A half-brother to the G3 Healy S. winner Brave Song (Your Song), Painted Wolf (I Am Invincible) is a son of Brave Choice (Dr Fong {USA}), who boasts an impressive pedigree. She is a half-sister to the stakes winners Brave Prince (Kenmare {Fr}) and Valourina (Snippets) and she is the dam of the G2 Wakeful S. winner Timbourina (Timber Country {USA}).
Painted Wolf as a yearling
It is the family of the G1 Railway S. winner Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) and the black-type winner and Group 1 performer Enticing Star (Testa Rossa). Painted Wolf was a $220,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase and he looks more than capable of doubling his winning tally here off the back of his maiden success.
Coffs Harbour Race 5, 3.25, Sawtell Plumbing Maiden, $22,000, 1315m
The Kris Lees-trained Meyer (Written Tycoon) placed in both of her trials this time in, before she went to the races and finished a bold 2nd. Her next effort was below par, but a better guide to her chances might be that debut performance and Andrew Gibbons is back in the saddle.
Meyer as a yearling
Meyer was bought at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $280,000, and is a daughter of the stakes performer Embark (Choisir) who is out of a half-sister to the black type winners Adagietto (NZ) (Sackford {USA}) and Captiva (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}). Also featuring in this pedigree is the G1 Levin Classic winner Southern Lord (Stratum) and the Hong Kong stakes winner Packing Winner (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Geelong Race 1, bet365 Odds On Drift Protector Maiden, $35,000, 1218m
Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) is a brother to the multiple Group 1 winner Shoals so he came at a price, $2.3 million when he sold at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. They are out of The Broken Shore (Hussonet {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the great Redoute’s Choice, his Group 1 winning brother Platinum Scissors and to half-brother Manhattan Rain, also a Group 1 winner and sire.
Groundswell as a yearling
Trained by Anthony Freedman, much was naturally expected of Groundswell when he made his first and only appearance at Ballarat in the autumn. The colt ran well enough to finish 4th and with the benefit of a subsequent break and a recent trial much will be expected of him here.
