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 Friday, we fancy the chances at Scone of a pair of lightly-tried 4-year-olds for trainers Kris Lees and Paul Messara while at Benalla a colt on debut is from a speedy family and he appeals as a strong chance for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Scone, Race 2, 1.50pm, Hellbent @ Yarraman Park Maiden, $22,000, 1100m
Ice Shelf (Redoute’s Choice) is the only foal to race from Adelie (Red Ransom {USA}) and she is from a sister to the dual Group 2 winner Portillo and a half-sister to the G1 Galaxy H. winner and sire Snowland. Their dam Snowdrift (Fr) (Polish Precedent (USA}) is from the family of the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ S. winner Francaletta (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the French Group 3 winners Kendam (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and Kenway (Fr) (Galiway {Fr}) .
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Ice Shelf
Trained by Kris Lees, Ice Shelf has been a work in progress and the 4-year-old has only been to the races once. He gave a good account on this course in May when fourth and since a break he has trialled twice and finished runner-up at Gosford in his latest appearance. He will be ridden by Andrew Gibbons and looks a strong chance to open his account.
Scone, Race 3, 2.25pm, Pryde’s Easifeed Maiden, $22,000, 1400m
St Anton (Redoute’s Choice) was a $320,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase by trainer Paul Messara and is a half-brother to the Listed Alexandra S. winner Torah (Spinning World {USA}). Their mother Perisher Valley (USA) (Devil’s Bag {USA}) is a direct descendant of the G1 Vanity H. winner Miss Toshiba (USA) (Sir Ivor {USA}).
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of St Anton
The family has also starred in Australia through efforts of the G1 Champagne S. winner Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and the G2 Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta (Flying Spur). This 4-year-old has been close up in both of his appearances and after a debut third he finished a solid fifth on the track earlier this month. He doesn’t meet the strongest of line-ups here and with Ashley Morgan in the saddle looks a decent each-way chance.
Benalla, Race 12.00pm, DKM Builders’ Maiden, $35,000, 1206m
A $120,000 Inglis Ready2Race Sale graduate, The Gauch (Deep Field) hasn’t trialled for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace ahead of his debut, but the stable has a good strike rate with their debut runners and there’s plenty of speed in the pedigree to suggest he can make an early impact.
The Gauch (closest) when breezing up for the 2018 Inglis Ready to Race Sale
The colt is a half-brother to the Listed Mona Listed S. winner Foxy Housewife (Foxwedge) and to the mother of the Inglis 2YO Classic winner The Enzo (Stratum). The dam Household (USA) (Chester House {USA}) is from the family of the European Group winning brothers and successful sires Zafonic (USA) (Gone West {USA}) and Zamindar (USA) and the G1 King’s Stand S. winner Prohibit (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
