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 concentrate our efforts on the Kensington meeting where we like a colt who was a sale ring star and a pair of lightly-raced fillies, one of the verge of a breakthrough and the other out to retain her unbeaten record.
Kensington, Race 1, 1.35pm, Vinery Stallions H., $50,000, 1100m
Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) was an expensive youngster when he was knocked down for $1.1 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. A brother to the Listed Mode Plate winner Pretty Fast, he is out of Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Ustinov), who won on four occasions and she is a half-sister to the G2 Challenge S. winner Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt). She also ran third in the G1 Galaxy H.
Doubtland as a yearling
Trained by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, Doubtland finished third in his first trial at Warwick Farm and then won his 900 metre heat at Rosehill last month. Brenton Avdulla will ride the colt and the prospects of an early return on his hefty purchase price look good.
Kensington, Race 3, 2.45pm, TAB Venue Mode H., $50,000, 1550m
The regally-bred Reaching (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a son of the former champion 3-year-old filly Alinghi (Encosta De Lago), whose decorated career saw her win at Group 1 level in the Newmarket H., the Blue Diamond S., the Thousand Guineas and in the Swettenham Stud S.
The late Deep Impact (Jpn), sire of Reaching
Prepared by Kim Waugh, Reaching placed in both of her starts in the spring before a break and was a trial winner ahead of her resuming run for second on this course. In all of her appearances the filly has been hitting the line well and a step up in distance looks ideal for her to break through. James McDonald retains the ride.
Kensington, Race 4, 3.20pm, Hyland Race Colours H., $50,000, 1250m
Mirra Vision (Lonhro) boasts an impressive pedigree and she has done an outstanding job of living up to it in the early stages of her career. She won both of her starts last preparation for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and a recent trial success indicated she is ready to carry on where she left off.
Mirra Vision as a yearling
The filly is a daughter of the G3 Liverpool City Cup winner Mirrasalo (Redoute’s Choice) and she is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Castelvecchio (Dundeel {NZ}) and Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile). Their dam St Therese (Dehere {USA}) was a stakes winner who twice placed at Group 1 level and it’s also the family of the five-time top-flight winner Planet Ruler (Kaoru Star).
