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 like a lightly-tried filly from the Freedman camp resuming at Gosford where we also fancy the chances of a debutante for Bjorn Baker. Then we go to Cranbourne and zero in on a well-bred 4-year-old who has been patiently handled by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and those waiting tactics may well be rewarded.
Gosford, Race 2, 1.50pm, Jack Ward Memorial H., $35,000, 1000m
Galaxial (Deep Field) made a bright start to her career last preparation when she won twice from a handful of starts, both times at Nowra where she sat on the pace and kicked on strongly. She has trialled ahead of her return and, from a handy gate and with Kathy O’Hara in the saddle, she promises a bold showing.
Galaxial as a yearling
Trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, Galaxial is a daughter of the unraced Commands mare Conjecture and there’s plenty of pace evident in her pedigree. The dam is a sister to the three-time Group 2 winning sprinter Rain Affair and the family also features the Listed Cap d’Antibes S. winner Wayupinthesky (Snitzel) and the Listed Toy Show H. winner Walk Alone (Honour And Glory {USA}).
Gosford, Race 3, 2.25pm, Podium Nye Party @ The Eg Maiden, $35,000, 1100m
Dancing Dollar (Wandjina) was a $220,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and she has shaped encouragingly ahead of her debut for Bjorn Baker. The filly has been to the trials twice with the latest of them at Randwick where she went well for third. The booking of Hugh Bowman is a major plus.
Dancing Dollar as a yearling
A half-sister to three winners, Dancing Dollar is out of Ambers Waltz (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and she was a more than handy race mare who won twice and was a multiple placegetter at Group level. Her mother Ambers Halo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) won the G3 Hyperion S. and also left the G2 Western Australian Guineas winner War Saint (USA) and the G3 Lord Reims S. winner Taiyoo (Haradasun).
Cranbourne, Race 4, 8.00pm, TAB Long May We Play Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Cool Artie (Artie Schiller {USA}) was a $140,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale graduate and is a half-brother to three winners. Their dam Navica (Snowland) is a half-sister to Desert War (Desert King {Ire}), who won six times at Group 1 level, and is a sister to the G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk.
Cool Artie as a yearling
It is also the family of the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Romantic Touch (Northern Meteor) and his dual Group 3 winning brother Burning Passion. Cool Artie finished fourth over this trip at his only appearance and trialled well at Traralgon ahead of resuming. He’s drawn well and with Jane Noonan in the saddle appeals as a strong each way chance for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
