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 like the prospects of a pair of representatives of the Kris Lees stable at Muswellbrook while at Mornington a Mick Kent-trained filly from an outstanding international family is fancied to go one better following her debut second.
Muswellbrook, Race 1, 1.40pm, Dymock’s Quality Meats Maiden, $22,000, 900m
Andaluna (Wandjina) has been patiently-handled and has responded well with two handy recent trials leading into her debut. She has drawn ideally to make an impact over this short course dash and rider Andrew Gibbons also has prior experience aboard the filly.
Andaluna as a yearling
Prepared by Kris Lees, Andaluna is a half-sister to the G2 The Roses winner Etana (Shamus Award) and the multiple stakes placegetter Echo Gal (Stratum). Their dam Pink Siris (Encosta de Lago) was a winner and a black type runner-up in the Listed Strutt S. and is a sister to the former champion Hong Kong stayer Liberator. It’s also the family of the G3 Woodbine Dance Smartly H. winner Alexis (USA) (Alzao {USA}).
Muswellbrook, Race 5, 4.05pm, Hunter Belle Dairy Co. H., $22,000, 1280m
Lees and Gibbons also look to have a royal chance here with Misterzee (Zoffany {Ire}) if the colt gets a touch of early luck from a wide barrier. He has made a grand start to his career with a maiden win and a couple of placings and looks to have the talent to make his mark in a higher grade.
Zoffany (Ire), sire of Misterzee
His dam Zazparella (Al Maher) was more than handy and was successful on six occasions and is a sister to Almachino, the winner of four races and a Group 3 placegetter. There is international quality under the second dam, including the multiple top-flight winner and influential sire Blushing Groom (Fr) (Red God {USA}) and the G1 Italian Oaks winner Zabarella (Ity) (Clouet {Ity}).
Mornington, Race 2, 1.10pm, McLeod Trees Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Almadrava (Sebring) gave a strong account of herself when she finished runner-up at the first time of asking at Pakenham. The filly made good ground in the closing stages for jockey Beau Mertens, who takes the reins again, and has a pedigree to give further confidence that she can go one better.
The late Sebring, Almadrava
Prepared by Mick Kent, she is a half-sister to the G3 Sir John Monash S. winner and G1 Goodwood H. placegetter Supido (Sebring) and they are out of Lady Succeed (Jpn) (Brian’s Time {USA}). She is from the family of the Group 1 winners and successful international sires Machiavellian (USA) (Mr Prospector {USA}) and Exit To Nowhere (USA) (Irish River {Fr}).
