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 like the chances at Swan Hill of a Lindsay Park representative who boasts strong 2-year-old form while at Grafton we focus on a pair of maiden contenders who have performed well in their brief careers and look ready for breakthrough successes.
Swan Hill, Race 3, 2.15pm, SHJC Become A Member Maiden, $23,000, 975m
Fanaar (NZ) (Stratum) looked well above average last season when he finished runner-up behind stablemate Sebrakate (Sebring), a subsequent multiple Group placegetter, and fourth in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate. While he has drawn wide here, the task represents a significant drop in class and every chance of a winning return from the colt.
Fanaar (NZ) as a yearling
Prepared at Lindsay Park, Fanaar was a NZ$220,000 (AU$205,000) New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy and is out of Dubonnet (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Martini Red (Red Ransom {USA}). Their dam is the G1 Invitation S. winner Pernod (NZ) (Centaine) and the family of the G1 South Australian Derby winner Kushadasi (Choisir).
Grafton, Race 2, Exclusive Trophies Maiden, $22,000, 1120m
Dreamtime Magic (Dream Ahead {USA}) is a daughter of Mieko’s Diamond (Ferocity), who was successful three times including a brace as a 2-year-old, and the dam is a half-sister to the G2 Sweet Embrace S. runner-up In The Vanguard (Encosta de Lago). They are out of the G2 Light Fingers S. winner Sharp (Danzero) and it’s also the family of the ill-fated G1 Flight S. winner Angst (Kala Dancer {GB}).
Dream Ahead (USA), sire of Dreamtime Magic
Trained by Matthew Dunn, Dreamtime Baby is making a fresh start here and has placed at the trials ahead of her return. The filly finished third in each of her appearances last season including one on this track and the 3-year-old appeals as a strong chance in the hands of Matthew McGillivray.
Grafton, Race 6, 4.00pm, Gateway Lifestyle Maiden, $22,000, 1430m
Big Brook (Hinchinbrook) was purchased for NZ$150,000 (AU$140,000) at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale with his dam Noanoa (Reset) a half-sister to the multiple stakes placegetter Factor Me In (The Factor {USA}). They are out of the Encosta de Lago mare Letmebe and she is a half-sister to the mother of the dual Group 1 winner and sire Rebel Raider and his G3 Norman Robinson S. winning half-brother Shamoline Warrior (Shamardal {USA}).
Big Brook as a yearling
The pedigree page also features the presence of the G3 Star Kingdom H. winner and G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup runner-up Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}). Big Brook is prepared by Kacy Fogden and ran on well at the end of his 1200 metre debut for third at the Sunshine Coast. With the benefit of that experience, he should prove hard to roll in a field lacking exposed form.
