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 like the chances of a well-related debutante at Tatura where a mare from a strong international family also rates highly, while at Ballina a filly with a speedy pedigree from the Edmonds stable has caught our attention.
Tatura, Race 1, 12.50pm, Cheap As Chips Maiden, $23,000, 1100m
A $150,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Pearl Princess (Rubick) is a half-sister to a pair of multiple winners and they are out of the unraced Pearl Goddess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). She is a sister to the former champion 2-year-old and Group 1 winner Pompeii Pearl (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}) and a three-quarter sister to the G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Saint Cecile (NZ).
Rubick, sire of Pearl Princess
Pearl Princess is prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and with her precocious background she looks a player on debut in the hands of Harry Coffey. The filly has also had a quiet trial at Casterton where she finished runner-up over 800 metres.
Tatura, Race 4, 2.35pm, Rushton Park Thoroughbreds H., $22,000, 1600m
The Maher, Eustace and Coffey combination also have strong winning prospects here with West Wind (NZ) (Pins), a well-related mare who was a strong winner on debut at Wangaratta. The way she found the line over 1400 metres was proof the step up to a mile will be tailor-made for the mare.
West Wind is a sister to the G3 Eulogy S. winner Whistling Dixie (NZ) and a half-sister to the G2 Vase runner-up Atmosphere (NZ) (Savabeel), who also ran second in the G1 Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong as Victory Magic. Their dam Zephyr Song (NZ) (Danasinga) is an unraced half-sister to the multiple Group 2 winner Glenview, who produced the G1 South African Derby winner Timber Trader (NZ) (Woodman {USA}).
Ballina, Race 1, 12.54pm, Why Jo Why Maiden, $22,000, 1300m
Foxy Secret (Foxwedge) has been well-educated at the trials with four appearances and the filly showed she was learning her lessons well when she claimed her 1000 metre heat at the Gold Coast last month. She’s drawn a touch awkwardly, but this looks a modest line-up and one ripe for the taking.
Trained by Toby and Trent Edmonds, Foxy Secret is a daughter of the unraced Secret Cool (One Cool Cat {USA}) and her dam is a half-sister to the G2 Reisling S. winner Hips Don’t Lie (Stravinsky {USA}), who produced the stakes winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock).
