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 check out a 3-year-old with a deep pedigree on debut at Tamworth, a first-starter at Echuca who has won his only trial and at Canberra an expensive colt looks set to make an impact on his return from a break.
Tamworth, Race 1, 12.55pm, JT Fossey Tamworth Showcase Maiden, $30,000, 1400m
Political (Snitzel) comes from a terrific family and is a half-brother to the G2 Silver Slipper S. winner Satin Shoes (Flying Spur) and to the dual Group 2 winner Zarzuela (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who produced the G3 Gold Trail S. winner Serious Satire (More Than Ready {USA}).
Political as a yearling
Their dam Star Satire (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) won the G1 Otaki Maori WFA S. with Silver Nymph (NZ) (Silver Dream {GB}) and Ray’s Hope (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) other Group 1 winning members of the family. Political is on debut, but has had a couple of trials and it’s a pedigree hard to ignore.
Echuca, Race 1, 12.50pm, Eden Family Reunion Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
Fort Wayne (Uncle Mo {USA}) will make his first appearance here and suggested it could be a successful one when the 3-year-old won his only trial at Werribee last month. Jake Noonan will ride the gelding from a handy gate.
Fort Wayne as a yearling
Trained by Archie Alexander, he was a $30,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate and is the first foal to race for the winning Casino Prince mare Orabelle. She is a half-sister to the stakes winner All Too Royale (All Too Hard) with their dam the G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit). There is current form to this family through recent dual Group 3 winner Sylvia’s Mother (Snitzel).
Canberra, Race 7, 5.10pm, McGrath Auto Group Black Opal S., $250,000, 1200m
Bartley (Written Tycoon) was a $660,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a son of Rationality (Flying Spur), who was successful five times up to 1600 metres. She is a sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Mentality and the family of the G3 Skyline S. winner I’m All The Talk (Stratum).
Bartley as a yearling
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt was a debut winner at Kembla Grange prior to Christmas and was given a break after he ran third behind Nitrous (Deep Field), a subsequent stakes placegetter. Bartley trialled well at Rosehill ahead of his return and, with early luck from a wide gate, he can make a name for himself.
