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 are concentrating our efforts on the Gosford meeting where we like a pair of lightly-tried maiden contenders for Brad Widdup and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott combination, plus a team Snowden filly on debut who is from a strong international Group 1 family.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.40pm, Bushfire Hazard Solutions H., $35,000, 1600m
A $525,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale graduate, Trieste (Fastnet Rock) is a half-sister to the G1 Australian Oaks winner Gust Of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) with their dam Starrystarrynight (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}). She is a sister to the Listed Naas Garnet S. winner and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas placegetter Starbourne (Ire).
Fastnet Rock, sire of Trieste
Trieste is trained by Brad Widdup and she followed up a trial placing with a runner-up finish on debut at Newcastle. She was on the pace all the way there and fought on bravely and a similar effort would see the 3-year-old go close to victory.
Gosford, Race 3, 2.50pm, Yellow and Navy Foundation Maiden, $35,000, 1100m
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Equities (I Am Invincible) was a strong second at Kembla Grange at the first time of asking and was then put aside after an unplaced effort at Warwick Farm. He tuned up for his return with a win at the recent Randwick trials and from a handy gate expect him to be in this for a long way for rider Tim Clark.
Equities as a yearling
A $280,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Equities is a half-brother to four winners and they are out of the former smart race mare Rich Megadale (Armidale). She won the Listed PJ Bell S. and was placed at Group 2 and 3 level.
Gosford, Race 4, 3.25pm, Louvreland Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Miss Dior (Brazen Beau) is a half-sister to the multiple winner Single Sapphire and their dam is Royal Sapphire (O’Reilly {NZ}). She is a half-sister to the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. and Restricted Listed Inglis Nursery S. winner Twilight Royale (Testa Rossa).
Miss Dior as a yearling
There is also an international flavour to the pedigree with the presences of the multiple Group 1 winners Grey Swallow (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) and Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Miss Dior has showed steady improvement at the trials and her effort for second at Randwick recently suggests she can be a force to be reckoned with here.
