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 have gone around the traps to take a closer look at debutantes from Group 1 families at Grafton and Newcastle and at Warrnambool we’ve found a filly primed to go one better on a last-start second.
Grafton, Race 3, 2.05pm, Lost Legends Showcase Maiden, $22,000, 1100m
More Than Good (More Than Ready {USA}) has a pedigree that has proved highly successful overseas and made an impact at home. Her dam Not Bad (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is a sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Seeking The Gold (USA) and a half-sister to the two-time top-flight winner and sire Fast Play (USA).
More Than Good as a yearling
Also featuring within in the family ranks is the dual Australian Group 3 winner Gamble Me (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). More Than Good has had a quiet trial to fit her for her debut and from a handy draw against a modest line-up, she can provide a bold showing.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1.10pm, Thanks Jack Ashman Maiden, $35,000, 900m
Sunborn (Casino Prince) boasts an impressive sprinting background as a daughter of Honeymoon Cruise (Fastnet Rock), who is a half-sister to the former Champion Hong Kong Griffin and two-time Group 1 winner Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel).
Casino Prince, sire of Sunborn
Their dam is a sister to With Anticipation (USA) (Relaunch {USA}), who won five times at the highest level and her half-sister With Fascination (USA) (Dayjur {USA}) won the G3 Prix de Cabourg. Sunborn has placed in both of her trials and might be worth a serious look on debut.
Warrnambool, Race 1, 12.40pm, APCO Service Stations Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
I Dream Of Jena (Fighting Sun) was fifth on debut and she showed good improvement on this course at her following start to finish runner-up. She has the ideal draw to be in contention from barrier rise and with Dean Yendall in the saddle the filly looks poised to go one better and break her maiden.
I Dream Of Jena as a weanling
She is a half-sister to four winners with their dam Armanjena (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) the winner of a brace of 2-year-old events and was placed in the G3 SAJC Breeders’ S. She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Tiger’s Eye (GB) (Caerleon {USA}) and Vetriano (GB) (Danehill {USA}) and the G3 Bendigo Cup winner Red Alto (High Chaparral {Ire}) is also a member of this family.
