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 like the chances at Canterbury Park of a well-related filly breaking her maiden and a debut winner poised for further success. At The Valley, we zero in on a lightly-tried 3-year-old who has a pedigree to instill confidence in her prospects.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 6:15pm, Mirvac H., $50,000, 1250m
Astralis (Sebring) is a half-sister to the G2 Johannesburg Spring Fillies & Mares’ Challenge S. winner Mella Maria (Star Witness) and a sister to the stakes performer Argentina. Their dam Sayahailmary (Keep The Faith) won twice and finished runner-up in the G2 Angus Armanasco S.
Astralis as a yearling
A $450,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase, Astralis has plenty of speed in her pedigree and is closely related to the Listed Wayne Wilson Plate winner Vinland (Sebring) from the family of the Inglis Premier winner Valliano (Equiano {Fr}). Astralis has been placed in a light career and looks a strong chance to resume with success off the back of a quiet trial.
Canterbury Park, Race 4, 7:45pm, Cabra-Vale Diggers H., $50,000, 1100m
Phemonoe (Hallowed Crown) ran up to her pedigree at the first time of asking when she was a tidy winner last month over this course and distance. The ease of her maiden success suggested the filly can make her mark in stronger company.
Hallowed Crown, sire of Phemonoe
She is a half-sister to the G2 Schweppervescence Trophy winner Circular (Street Cry {Ire}) and their dam Hexameter (Octagonal {NZ}) won four times up to 1800 metres. She is out of a half-sister to the former Australian Horse of the Year and successful sire Lonhro and his multiple Group 1 winning brother Niello.
The Valley, Race 2, 6:00pm, Solo No Sugar Plate, $50,000, 1200m
A $300,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Intrigue (Deep Field) is the only foal to race for Hard To Resist (Flying Spur), who is a half-sister to the dual South African Group 1 winner Happy Archer (Dubawi {Ire}) and the stakes winner Femina Fashion (Shamardal {USA}).
Intrigue as a yearling
Their dam is a sister to the G2 Wakeful S. winner and G1 VRC Oaks placegetter Lolita Star (Jeune {GB}) and a half-sister to the G3 Adelaide Guineas winner Berezny (Bellotto {USA}). Intrigue was third when resuming last month and given natural improvement from that outing the filly looks a strong chance to open her account.
