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 Saturday, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner debuts at Warwick Farm, a superb-bred filly steps out for Chris Waller at Newcastle and a 2-year-old with high hopes returns to the track at Te Rapa.
Warwick Farm, Race 4, 2:40pm AEDT, Darley Lonhro Plate, $140,000, 1000m
Mystic Vein (Wandjina) debuts for Gary Portelli off a very strong recent trial win and he looks the type of horse that won't be long winning his first race, kicking off his career in a black-type race here.
Wandjina, sire of Mystic Vein
He cost $115,000 from the Mane Lodge draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to the multiple Group 1 winning mare Platelet (Strategic) as well as five other winners. Platelet's colt by Exceed And Excel sold for $1.8 million at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. Other names on the pedigree page include stakes winners Hockney (Quest For Fame {GB}) and Dalradian (Reward For Effort).
Newcastle, Race 6, 4:14pm AEDT, Construction Link Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Influencer (NZ) (Savabeel) was a NZ$300,000 buy from the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka for the Kaha Syndicate and Mulcaster Bloodstock. She is a half-sister to G1 Queensland Oaks winner Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper) and the Group 2 winner Villyfye (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Influencer (NZ) as a yearling
It’s a very strong pedigreed family with the second dam, My Tripos (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) a sister to Grosvenor (NZ) and National Gallery (NZ), both Group 1 winners. Also part of that family are Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice), Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and the great Lonhro (Octagonal {NZ}).
Influencer has recent Rosehill trial, finishing fourth, and she looks the type of horse who on pedigree at least can make big strides in what is her first campaign.
Te Rapa Race 1, 12:25 pm NZDT, 10:25am AEDT, Waikato Equine Vet Centre, NZ$30,000, 1200m
Brazier (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) returns to the track here having done a fair bit wrong on debut back on Boxing Day, where he missed away, then surged around the field and felt the pinch late. Team Rogerson has made some adjustments and he should shape up better at his second start.
Brazier (NZ) as a yearling
Expectations will be high of him, given Aquis Farm and Rogerson Bloodstock paid NZ$400,000 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Sale at Karaka from the draft of Cambridge Stud. He is out of the dual Group 1 winner Katie Lee (Pins), whose half-sister Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire}) was also a Group 1 winner and whose dam Miss Jessie Jay (NZ) (Spectacularphantom {USA}) was a stakes-winning half-sister to top mare Gee I Jane (NZ) (Jahafil {GB}).
