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 Thursday, an in-form 2-year-old stable debut a Fastnet Rock colt at Kilmore, where Anthony Freedman steps out a filly from a top-quality mare, while at Newcastle a promising Godolphin filly looks for her first win.
Kilmore, Race 1, 1:30pm AEDT, bet365 Racing refund 2YO Mdn, $23,000, 1100m
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have had quite the week with their 2-year-olds after Letzbeglam (Snitzel) won the G1 Blue Diamond S. and like that filly, the colt Obligatory (Fastnet Rock) is by a champion Australian sire out of an American mare.
Obligatory as a yearling
In this case, the mare is the Grade 3 winner Neccasary Evil (USA) (Harlan's Holiday {USA}), who is from the family of English Group 3 winner Sergei Prokofiev (Can) (Scat Daddy {USA}).
This colt, who cost Aquis $140,000 at last year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, trialled well recently at Cranbourne, showing the pace to lead early before finishing second having been largely untouched in the final 100 metres.
Kilmore, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, The Bendigo Club 3YO Fillies Mdn, $23,000, 1100m
Groovy Kinda Love (Smart Missile) is the first foal to the track from multiple Group 3-winning mare Epingle (NZ) (Pins). Epingle is a daughter of a stakes winner herself, in Etoile Du Nord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and is a sister to stakes-placed Etoile Filante (Pins) and half-sister to Listed placegetter Thurston (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Smart Missile, sire of Groovy Kinda Love
This filly cost Dermot Farrington $140,000 at the 2018 Melbourne Premier Sale. Trained by Anthony Freedman, she was given a very comfortable recent jump-out at Balnarring, finishing second under a hold and it wouldn't surprise to see her make an impression on debut.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1:50pm AEDT, Simtrack 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
Godolphin filly Thermosphere (Exosphere) has come up against some very good 2-year-olds in her two starts to date, finishing fourth on debut to Prague (Redoute's Choice) and then second, beaten 0.4l by Spokesman (Press Statement) at Canterbury. This shapes as a very good place for her to break her maiden.
Exosphere, sire of Thermosphere | Standing at Darley Kelvinside
She is the second foal to the track from Glows (Canny Lad) who won a Listed Typhoon Tracy S., one of six winners from stakes-placed Perle (Night Shift {USA}), along with multiple stakes-winner Falaise (Grand Lodge {USA}).
