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.
Today, we fancy the chances of a pair of lightly-raced 3-year-olds from the Phillip Stokes yard while at Murwillumbah we’re expecting a bold debut from a Fastnet Rock 3-year-old prepared by Kacy Fogden.
Sale, Race 2, 1.40pm, Carlton Draught Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
A $250,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate, Party Maid (Dissident) is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Bring Me The Maid (Sebring) and she was also Group 1 placed. Their dam Maid For Me (Belong To Me {USA}) was a 2-year-old winner and she’s from the family of the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Polar Success (NZ) (Success Express {USA}).
Party Maid as a yearling
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Party Maid has been out twice for trainer Phillip Stokes and earned a cheque each time. The filly should strip at peak fitness and from the inside gate she will get every chance to strike for the first time.
Sale, Race 3, 2.15pm, Quest Sale Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
The Stokes yard also looks to have a leading prospect in this with Carlos (Written Tycoon) following the lightly-tried colt’s most recent effort. At just his second appearance, he made the pace at Werribee and was collared late in the piece to finish a close third.
Carlos as a yearling
Bought at the Magic Millions Gold Coast for $140,000, Carlos is a son of Belong To Peri (Belong To Many {USA}) and she is a daughter of the G2 Sunline S. and dual Group 3 winner Tickle My (Perugino {USA}). The pedigree also features the G2 Euclase S. winner and Group 1 performer I’ll Have A Bit (Smart Missile).
Murwillumbah, Race 1, 1.35pm, Happy Birthday Rebecca Kelly H., $22,000, 1200m
Muleta (Fastnet Rock) was a NZ$190,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase and is a brother to two winners. They are out of Lady Of Spain (Encosta De Lago), who is a half-sister to the G3 Ethereal S. winner Dawnie Perfect (Big Brown {USA}) and their dam Zagalia (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) was successful in the G1 Queensland Oaks.
Muleta as a yearling
Muleta trialled in the spring before he was put aside and since his return has finished runner-up in 1000 metre heat at the Gold Coast. The gelding is opposed by what looks to be a modest line-up and has a gilt-edged opportunity to show a winning return at the first time of asking for trainer Kacy Fogden.
