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.
We take a look on Saturday at a pair of lightly-tried and well-bred maiden contenders at Newcastle while at Eagle Farm we are keen on the chances of a 3-year-old on debut, who boasts plenty of Group 1 blood in his pedigree.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.04pm, Steel City Financial Planners Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Primal Scream (Sepoy) is a half-brother to the black type winner Tampiko (Lonhro) and a brother to the multiple winner and Group 3 performer War Hero. Their dam Ancient Song (Canny Lad) won the G1 Salinger S. and was runner-up in the G1 Oakleigh Plate.
Sepoy, sire of Primal Scream
She is a half-sister to the multiple stakes winners Royal Lott (Royal Abjar {USA}) and Danzig Beau (Slant {USA}) and the family of four-time Group 1 winner Preferment (NZ), now at stud. Primal Scream placed during a light 2-year-old campaign and has had two trials to prepare him for his return and from an inside gate can give a bold first-up showing.
Newcastle, Race 3, 1.44pm, Aspect Hunter School Maiden, $35,000, 1500m
The Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Tombstone (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has trialled well before he gave a good account of himself when fourth at Kembla Grange first time out. He struck a heavy track there and will appreciate a better surface and a slightly longer trip.
Tombstone as a yearling
He is a half-brother to a pair of multiple winners, including Aquamosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}), who was Group 3 placed as a 2-year-old. They are out of Adalia (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) and she is a half-sister to Big Maverick (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), a multiple black type winner in Singapore where he earned champion 3-year-old sprinter honours and was champion older stayer. Adalia is a daughter of Afjan (USA) (Woodman {USA}), who placed in both the G1 English 1000 Guineas and the G1 Ascot Fillies’ Mile.
Eagle Farm, Race 4, 1.12pm, Tonic Designs Plate, $50,000, 1000m
A $100,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Contemptuous (Rubick) provided an early return when he was a dominant winner in his only appearance at Doomben last season. He has finished second in a lead-up trial and from the inside gate over this trip he gets a golden opportunity to remain unbeaten.
Contemptuous as a yearling
Contemptuous is a son of the unraced Contempt (Commands), who is a half-sister to the dual winner and Inglis Classic 2YO runner-up Niccolance (Nicconi). Their dam is a half-sister to the G1 Spring Champion S. winner and sire Complacent (Authorized {Ire}) and a three-quarter sister to the G3 Golden Pendant winner Screen (Lonhro). It’s also the family of the former champion 2-year-old Dracula (Quest For Fame {GB}), the G1 Galaxy H. winner Masked Party (Marscay), the G1 Hong Kong Premier’s Bowl winner Inspiration (Flying Spur) and the G1 Australian Guineas winner and promising young sire Wandjina.
