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 Friday, we fancy the chances at Cranbourne of maiden contenders from the Ellerton and Zahra and Team Snowden stables while at Warrnambool we recommend following a lightly-tried filly for Mick Price and Michael Kent junior.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 7.00pm, Rodwells & Co Maiden, $35,000, 1500m
Marluccio (Not A Single Doubt) produced an encouraging start to her career when she hit the line strongly from last to finish fifth over 1200 metres at Echuca. Natural improvement from that outing and the extra distance here gives her a fine chance to put the first win of her career on the board.
Marluccio as a yearling
Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Marluccio is a daughter of Street Lass (Street Cry {Ire}), whose three foals to race have all been successful. Marluccio is a three-quarter sister to the Listed Bright Shadow S. winner Bidii Babe and the family of the Group 3 winners Queen’s Command (Commands) and Shazee Lee (Ready’s Image {USA}).
Cranbourne, Race 3, 7.30pm, Fredericks Fabrications Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Maguli (Snitzel) was a $300,000 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to the North American stakes winner Topic (USA) (Discreet Cat {USA}), who also placed in the G1 American Oaks. Another half-brother Mutamakimm (Redoute’s Choice) is a multiple winner and South African Group 3 placegetter.
Maguli as a yearling
Their dam is the unraced Quiet Maggy (USA) (Quiet American {USA}) and she’s a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner and sire Afleet Alex (USA) (Northern Afleet {USA}) and his stakes winning brother Unforgettable Max. Maguli had a couple of quiet trials in Sydney before a break and relocation to Team Snowden’s Flemington yard and from a good gate she can do justice to a smart pedigree.
Warrnambool, Race 3, 3.30pm, All New RAV4 Maiden, $23,000, 1300m
Undoubtedly So (Not A Single Doubt) was out of the frame in her only 2-year-old appearance, but showed significant improvement on her return this season. The filly resumed at Hamilton last month for Mick Price and Michael Kent junior and came from well back in the field to finish third. She’s sure to have taken improvement from that outing and looks to have a golden chance here to open her account.
Not A Single Doubt, sire of Undoubtedly So
A half-sister to the multiple Group 3 placegetter Royal Snitzel (Snitzel), Undoubtedly So is a daughter of Royal Charades (Royal Academy {USA}), who was successful on eight occasions up to 1200 metres, and she’s out of a sister to the Listed Frank Underwood Cup winner Royal Circle (Palace Music {USA}). It’s also the family of the G3 Ajax S. winner Protara’s Bay (Ministerial {USA}).
