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 Saturday, we take closer looks at a pair of expensive colts making their debuts at Randwick and The Valley while at Eagle Farm we also like the chances of a filly with a Group 1 pedigree making her first appearance.
Randwick, Race 1, 12.55pm, Forum Group Kirkham Plate, $125,000, 1000m
Anders (Not A Single Doubt) has a golden opportunity to recoup a portion of his hefty price tag here. The colt was a $670,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-brother to the multiple winner Madame Pauline (Redoute’s Choice). They are out of the unraced Madame Andree (War Emblem {USA}) and her dam is a half-sister to the G1 Belmont Metropolitan H. winner Exciting Story (USA) (Diablo {USA}).
Anders as a yearling
It is a well-performed North American family with black type 2-year-old form and Anders showed with a recent trial success that he has some pace about him. Jason Collett rode him at the trials and will be aboard again.
The Valley, Race 1, 12.10, Inglis Banner, $500,000, 1000m
Ideas Man (Brazen Beau) was purchased for $575,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to the Listed Bob Hoysted H. winner Chloe In Paris (Exceed And Excel) and the Group 3 performed juvenile The Original (Dehere {USA}). Their dam Innovation Girl (Rubiton) was a quality mare who won the G2 Ascot Vale S. and was successful three times at Group 3 level.
Ideas Man as a yearling
Innovation Girl is out of Bright Gleam (Jugah {USA}), who is a three-quarter sister to the G1 Doncaster H. winner Soho Square and the family also includes the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner Incumbent (Choisir). Ideas Man hasn’t publicly trialled, but there’s more than enough in his pedigree to follow him with confidence.
Eagle Farm, Race 1, 11.30am, TAB QTIS Fillies’ H., $75,000, 1000m
Tony Gollan has a big team of 2-year-olds and the covers come off the first of them here with Starosa (Starspangledbanner) to debut. She has performed well in both of her trials and has the added benefits of an apprentice allowance and the inside gate.
Starspangledbanner, sire of Starosa
The filly’s dam Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) was a talent on the track and won twice and finished runner-up in the G1 Levin Classic. She is a daughter of the multiple winner and stakes performer Sardonyx (NZ) (Ebony Grosve) and the family of the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. winner Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and the G1 Waikato Draught Sprint winner Western Red (NZ) (Spectacular Love {USA}).
