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 zero in on the meeting at Sale where we have found two maiden prospects from potent international families and a 3-year-old who performed particularly well on debut to finish second and looks primed to go one better.
Sale, Race 1, 12.40pm, TAC Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Batal (Snitzel) boasts an international pedigree of the highest order and is a half-brother to the G1 Greyville Thekwini S. winner Amanee (Pivotal {GB}) and to the dam of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie (USA) (Bernstein {USA}).
Snitzel, sire of Batal
The Mick Price and Michael Kent-trained 3-year-old is a son of the French black type winner Moon Is Up (USA) (Woodman {USA}) and she is a daughter of the former champion performer Miesque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}), winner of 10 Group 1 titles and the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Kingmambo (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}). Batal ran sixth in his only appearance last season and following a break a sound trial should see him in top order for this assignment.
Sale, Race 2, 1.15pm, Ladbrokes Cash In Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Final Man (Reward For Effort) gave a strong account of himself at the first time of asking when he got home well to finish runner-up over 1200 metres. The extra distance will suit him and with Brian Werner to take the ride again they look a combination to follow.
Reward For Effort, sire of Final Man
Trained by Nick Harnett, Final Man is a half-brother to two winners with their dam the unraced Chowder Bay (NZ) (Strategic). She is a half-sister to the G3 Tramway H. winner Primus (Flying Spur) and the family of the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Miss Danehill (Danehill {USA}) and her G2 Craiglee S. winning half-brother Pentatstic (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
Sale, Race 3, Wynne’s Coaches Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Let’s Go Home (High Chaparral {Ire}) has made a solid start to her career with recent placings over this course and distance and most recently at Mornington. Both times she took up a handy spot in the running and boxed on gamely.
High Chaparral (Ire), sire of Let's Go Home
Prepared by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, the lightly-tried 4-year-old will again be partnered by Daniel Stackhouse and against modest opposition looks a strong hope. She is a half-sister to three winners and her second dam is a blood sister to the former champion French filly and nine-time Group 1 winner Triptych (USA) (Riverman {USA}) and the family of the G1 Caulfield Cup winner Tawqeet (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}).
