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 Tuesday, we concentrate our efforts on the Wangaratta meeting where we lead off with an Anthony Freedman-trained filly from Not A Single Doubt’s family and then like the chances of an Andrew Noblet-trained debut runner and a Lindsay Park representative out of a Group 1 winning mare.
Wangaratta Race 2, 2.00pm, Winsec Savings & Loans Maiden, $23,000, 1100m
Flirting (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) is a half-sister to the Listed Blue Diamond Preview S. winner Cohesion (Lonhro) with their dam Come Hither (Redoute’s Choice), who was a smart galloper and won both the Listed Talindert S. and the Debutant S. as a 2-year-old. She is a half-sister to the G3 Up And Coming S. winner Master Ash (Sebring) and their Group 2 performed mother Hanky Panky (Anabaa {USA}) is a half-sister to the outstanding sire Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice).
Medaglia d’Oro (USA), sire of Flirting | Standing at Darley America
Trained by Anthony Freedman, Flirting was placed in all three of her autumn starts last season before she was turned out. The filly has returned to finish 3rd in both of her lead-up trials at Casterton and looks a serious chance in the hands of Damien Thornton.
Wangaratta Race 3, 2.30pm, Probus Club of Bright Maiden, $23,000, 1000m
New Major (Hussonet {USA}) has been given plenty of time to develop by trainer Andrew Noblet and patience may be rewarded here. The 4-year-old has placed in his only trial at Casterton earlier this month and looks to have a gilt-edged opportunity here to make an impression in his race day debut.
The late Hussonet (USA), sire of New Major
He is a half-brother to the stakes winner Status Symbol (Hemingway {Ire}) and their dam New Status (New Regent {Can}) is out of a half-sister to the G3 Eclipse S. winner Prime Address (Alzao {USA}). It is also the family of Balf’s Choice (Written Tycoon), winner of 10 races including two at black type level.
Wangaratta Race 4, 3.00pm, Muddy Waters Café Maiden, $23,000, 1400m
Walking Flying (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was a $120,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to a pair of winners with their dam the former top-class race mare Veloce Bella (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). She was successful in the G1 Waikato International S. and twice at Group 2 level and is from the family of the Listed Clifford Plate winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Tiger Jones (NZ) (Ruling {USA}).
Walking Flying (NZ) as a yearling
Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Walking Flying made an encouraging start to her career when first produced in the autumn. She finished 4th behind the highly-regarded Chenier (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) on debut and then filled a similar position behind the subsequent Group 1 performer Lady Lupino (Sebring). She made ground well on each occasion and she appeals as a strong first-up prospect here.
