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 Saturday, we are keen on a pair of well-related 2-year-olds at the Sandown and Newcastle meetings and at Kembla Grange we are expecting a bold performance from a 3-year-old, who hails from a strong Group performing family, on debut.
Sandown, Race 1, Listed Thoroughbred Club Merson Cooper S., $140,000, 1000m
Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was a $300,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy and boasts a strong international pedigree. He is the first representative of Vasilissa (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and she is a half-sister to the black type winner and Group performer Tricolore Bleu (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}).
Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), sire of Tagaloa
Their dam Penkenna Princess (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) won the G3 Fred Darling S. and was runner-up in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. Tagaloa was a trial winner before he made ground strongly for a debut third in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate. The benefit of that race day outing should stand him in good stead in this.
Newcastle, Race 2, Sage Painting Max Lees Classic, $125,000, 900m
Tilla Rose (Written Tycoon) has looked good at the trials and finished runner-up first time out before winning her heat at Randwick under Tommy Berry, who takes the ride again. She is prepared by Team Snowden, who has an excellent record with its 2-year-olds.
Written Tycoon, sire of Tilla Rose
This filly is the first foal of Prevail (Redoute’s Choice) and she is a half-sister to the Listed Talindert S. winner Weatherly (Beneteau). Their dam is a sister to the G2 Reisling S. winner Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and she has produced the stakes winning sisters Ennis Hill (Fastnet Rock) and Lake Geneva, who was also a multiple Group 1 placegetter as a 2-year-old.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 2.14pm, Polio Plus Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
Pieloce (Pierro) was purchased at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $160,000 and she’s a daughter of the G3 National S. winner Vivi Veloce (More Than Ready {USA}), who has also produced the G2 Angus Armanasco S. winner Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}).
Pieloce as a yearling
Their dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy {USA}) was successful in the G3 Mannerism S. and the family of dual Group 1 winner Happy Trails (Good Journey {USA}). Pieloce is trained by Bjorn Baker and she has trialled well ahead of her debut and a bold showing seems a likely outcome here.
