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 concentrate our efforts on the Hawkesbury meeting where we have sorted out a trio of well-related and lightly-tried maiden contenders from the stables of Paul Messara, Gerald Ryan and Bjorn Baker.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 2.05pm, Easy Lane Maiden, $35,000, 2000m
St Anton (Redoute’s Choice) will get few better opportunities to post a breakthrough victory than here. The lightly-tried 4-year-old has been sound enough in his three runs to date, collecting a cheque each time and the step up to this trip may be all that is required to see the winning side of the Paul Messara-trained gelding.
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of St Anton
A $320,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, St Anton is a half-brother to the Listed Alexandra S. winner Torah (Spinning World {USA}). Their dam Perisher Valley (USA) (Devil’s Bag {USA}) didn’t race, but has an interesting pedigree that features the G1 Vanity H. winner Miss Toshiba (USA) (Sir Ivor {USA}) and one that has worked in this part of the world. The G1 Champagne S. winner Isolda (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and the G2 Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta (Flying Spur) are among its representatives.
Hawkesbury, Race 3, 3.13pm, Lander Toyota Maiden, $35,000, 1600m
Highbury (I Am Invincible) was at long odds on debut and ran accordingly, finishing well back at Warwick Farm, but he showed he was a quick learner with a much improved effort at Wyong. He was narrowly beaten over a sprint trip and a step up to a mile here might well be enough to see the colt go one better.
I Am Invincible, sire of Highbury
Trained by Gerald Ryan, Highbury is out of Footprint (Redoute’s Choice) who is a half-sister to the G2 Vase winner and G1 Australian Guineas runner-up Marching (Commands). The first dam Step (Grand Lodge {USA}) is a half-sister to the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Crawl (Dr Grace {NZ}) and to the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and young sire Trapeze Artist.
Hawkesbury, Race 5, 4.31pm, Richmond Golf Club Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
Corcra (Shamus Award) is from a family that trainer Bjorn Baker knows so well and little wonder he snapped up this now gelding for $80,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He is a son of the unraced Yolane (Zizou) and she is a half-sister to the stable’s G2 Breeders’ Classic winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt). Yolane is a daughter of the G1 Emirates S. winner Sky Cuddle (Snippets) who is a half-sister to the G2 Alister Clark S. winner and sire Highly Recommended.
Corca as a yearling
In his debut, Corcra showed a taste of the family ability when he finished a close second and was then unplaced at Goulburn when he had to work hard to lead from the outside gate. He has drawn much better this time and Christian Reith will be able to give him every opportunity to break through.
