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 are concentrating our efforts at the Moe meeting where we fancy the chances of a filly from Lindsay Park and a couple of well-bred maiden prospects from the stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent junior.
Moe, Race 1, 1.20pm, Moe Optical Maiden, $23,000, 1217m
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Writeoff (Written Tycoon) was purchased at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $150,000 and is out of Off The Planet (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), who won four races up to 1300 metres and both of her foals to race have been multiple winners.
Writeoff as a yearling
Off The Planet is a half-sister to the stakes winner Conspectus (Woodman {USA}) and to the dam of the G3 BTC S. winner and G1 Galaxy H. placegetter and sire Stryker. Writeoff finished in behind the major players in her only appearance at Bendigo last season and stayed on well for fourth when recently resuming at Echuca. The filly meets a modest line-up here and from an inside gate looks the way to go.
Moe, Race 2, 1.55pm, Moe Denture Clinic Maiden, $23,000, 1117m
Scent Of Fear (Stratum) finished a respectable fifth on debut last term and was then unplaced but not disgraced in a competitive line-up behind the highly-regarded Chenier (Medaglia d’Oro (USA}) before she was given a break. A spell is sure to have done her the world of good and she may offer some decent value here.
Scent Of Fear as a yearling
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent junior, Scent Of Fear is a daughter of the 2-year-old winner Stellaglacier (Northern Meteor) and she is out of a half-sister to the three-time Listed winner Ain’t Seen Nothin’ (Nothin Leica Dane), who ran third in the G1 Underwood S. Also featuring in the pedigree is the former Singapore Horse of the Year Stepitup (Hussonet {USA}).
Moe, Race 3, 2.30pm, Colli’s Hair Design Maiden, $23,000, 1628m
Price And Kent also look to have a winning prospect in this in Yulong Bright (Nicconi), who was a $210,000 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale buy. He is a son of Sparkle Arkle (Dehere {USA}) and she’s out of a half-sister to the G1 Santa Anita Santa Monica H. winner Toga Toga (USA) (Saratoga Six {USA}).
Yulong Bright as a yearling
It’s a well-performed North American family and also features the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the G1 Thorndon Mile winner A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins). Yulong Bright has been lightly-tried and was out of the money last time out at Seymour, but wasn’t that far away and both the winner and runner-up have subsequently won again so it’s a decent form reference. A step up in trip also looks to be in his favour.
