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 maiden prospects of representatives of the powerful Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Chris Waller stables at Kembla Grange. At Sportsbet-Ballarat, a daughter of a multiple Group 1 winner has caught our attention.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, Quicksilver Carpentry Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Well Known (NZ) (Deep Field) was fourth on debut behind subsequent Group winner Standout (Exceed And Excel) on a good track and was then unplaced on rain-affected going and was turned out. He has returned and with three trials, he won the last of them, under his belt he looks set to make an impact first-up.
Well Known as a yearling
A $140,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, he is the only foal to race for Disclosure (Fastnet Rock). She is from the potent Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}) family and the Queensland Oaks winner Miss Danehill {USA}), who produced the Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Pentastic (Pentire {GB}).
Kembla Grange, Race 5, 4.20pm, Sheppo’s Maiden, $35,000, 1200m
Activation (I Am Invincible) is a half-brother to two winners and to the stakes performed 2-year-old Dual Star (Starcraft {NZ}). Their dam Dual Diamond (Redoute’s Choice) is a half-sister to the black-type winner Villain (Carnegie {Ire}) with their dam the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}). She is a half-sister to the multiple Group 2 winner Wager (Flying Spur).
Trained by Chris Waller, Activation has been to the trials on three occasions and has showed pleasing progress, resulting in a most recent 1000 metre heat win at Randwick earlier this month. He has a tricky draw to contend with, but has the experienced Glyn Schofield in the saddle and with any luck they can be major players.
I Am Invincible, sire of Activation | Standing at Yarraman
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 4, 3.00pm, The Haymarket Ballarat Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Simply Wonderful (NZ) (Snitzel) was a $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to the stakes winner Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and House Of Cartier (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}), who is a multiple winner and finished third in the G1 Schweppes Oaks. Their dam is the four-time Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}).
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Simply Wonderful hasn’t been to any public trials but the stable is noted for having its first-up runners ready to go. Another plus is the engagement of the recent two-time Group 1 winning jockey Michael Walker.
Snitzel, sire of Simply Wonderful | Standing at Arrowfield
