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 concentrate our efforts on the Cranbourne meeting where we’ve found a pair of well-credentialled contenders from the Maher-Eustace barn and a colt on the verge of a breakthrough for the Price-Kent junior stable.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 6.00pm, Peter & Lavella DaRose Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Aleda (Dissident) was secured for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and showed an early return on that investment at Tatura. In her first race day appearance, the 3-year-old sat on the pace and she fought on gallantly for second and will no doubt improve with the experience.
Aleda as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the filly is a daughter of Top Classic (O’Reilly {NZ}) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Waikato Gold Cup winner Passchendaele (NZ) (Montjeu {NZ}). Their dam Classic Babe (NZ) (Classic Fame {USA}) won the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup and a star within the family ranks is the globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Strawberry Road (Whiskey Road {USA}).
Cranbourne, Race 3, 7.00pm, Procon Developments Maiden, $35,000, 1600m
Improving colt Memorialise (Star Witness) looks to have a golden chance of breaking through off the back of two encouraging efforts. He led and was run down when fourth at Pakenham and then stepped up to a mile at Bendigo where he found the line strongly from midfield for third. Zac Spain has will continue his association with the 3-year-old.
Memorialise as a yearling
A $160,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale buy, Memorialise is prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent junior and is out of Royal Mask (Royal Academy {USA}), who won five races and finished fourth in all three Group 2 attempts. She is a half-sister to the G2 QTC Sires’ Produce S. and G3 Victoria H. winner Masked Assassin (Danzero).
Cranbourne, Race 5, 8.00pm, Browns Sawdust & Shavings Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Maher and Eustace look to have another leading contender here in Smokin’ Hard (All Too Hard), who is a half-brother to a pair of multiple winners with their dam the Group performer Gallant Lady (Galileo {Ire}).
All Too Hard, sire of Smokin' Hard
She is a half-sister to the G1 Goodwood H. winner Smokin’ Joey (Encosta de Lago) and his brother Our Smoking Joe won the G2 St George S. It’s also the family of the G1 Gadsden S. winner Taj Quillo (Taj Rossi). Smokin’ Hard has finished third in both of her starts to date and the step up to 1400 metres may well bring out the very best in the filly.
