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.
At Kyneton on Tuesday we’re expecting the Patrick Payne stable to have a good day with a pair of strong maiden prospects while at Port Macquarie we have found a maiden contender from the family of the former top mare Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago).
Kyneton, Race 3, 2.35pm, bet365 Odds Drifter Protector Plate, $23,000, 1100m
Auvergne (Dawn Approach {Ire}) finished an encouraging fourth in her only appearance last season before a spell. She then trialled well before resuming at Warrnambool where she was out of the money, but with the benefit of that outing and against a modest line-up she’s worth another chance.
Dawn Approach (Ire), sire of Auvergne
The 3-year-old is a half-sister to the VRC Derby Trial winner and G2 Moonee Valley Vase runner-up Savoie (Ilovethiscity) and are out of Larissar (Street Cry {Ire}), who was successful three times. There is plenty of speed in the pedigree, which features the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Miamore (Snippets).
Kyneton, Race 4, 3.00pm, Bet365 Maiden Plate, $23,000, 1450m
A $140,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Kogi Lass (Wandjina) is a daughter of Hush Up (Hussonet {USA}), a two-time winner who is a half-sister to the South African stakes winner Graduation Day (SAF) (Trippi {USA}). Their dam is a half-sister to the G1 Hollywood Oaks winner Buryyourbelief (USA) (Believe It {USA}) and the family of the G1 Alabama S. winner Pretty Discreet (USA) (Private Account {USA}), dam of the Group 1 winner and sire Discreet Cat (USA).
Kogi Lass as a yearling
Kogi Lass has made a bright start to her career and was a debut third before she finished runner-up at Seymour. Both times the filly has finished off strongly and the extra distance here gives her a fine opportunity to open her winning account.
Port Macquarie, Race 2, 1.50pm, Wauchope Country Kitchen Maiden, $22,000, 1500m
The Barry Ratcliffe-trained Bear The Crown (Olympic Glory {Ire}) got home strongly for third on this course on debut and followed up with another strong showing when fourth at Kempsey. She gets over more ground here and that, combined with the inside gate, might be enough to see her break her maiden.
Olympic Glory (Ire), sire of Bear The Crown
Beat The Crown is a daughter of Mosscedes (Mossman) and is a half-sister to the G2 Bill Stutt S. winner and G1 Toorak H. runner-up Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago). Their dam is a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), dam of the G3 Premier Cup winner Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), also a former Champion Griffin in Hong Kong.
