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 are keen to recommend the chances of two lightly-tried and well-related Brad Widdup representatives at Goulburn while at Racing.com Park we like the debut prospects of an expensive Karaka purchase from Anthony Freedman’s stable.
Goulburn, Race 3, 3.05pm AEDT, Semco Maiden, $22,000, 1400m
Stiller (Uncle Mo {USA}) was a $220,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy and is a brother to Man From Uncle, winner of the G2 Hobartville S. and the G3 Eskimo Prince S. They are out of Derelique (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was unraced and is from a half-sister to the G2 Phar Lap S. winner and multiple Group 1-placegetter Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}).
Stiller as a yearling
Also from the family of the G1 Diamond S. winner Summer Passage (Snitzel), Stiller finished a close-up fifth on debut for trainer Brad Widdup in the spring. He was then given a break and has subsequently had a trial ahead of his return. Christian Reith rides him again and they look a combination to take very seriously.
Goulburn, Race 4, 3.40pm AEDT, TAB Odds & Evens Maiden, $22,000, 1200m
The Widdup-Reith combination also have a top prospect here in Bigger Than Thorn (Snitzel), who shaped promisingly last preparation with placings in each of his appearances. The 3-year-old has been given a thorough grounding to resume and finished runner-up in the last of his three lead-up trials.
Bigger Than Thorn as a yearling
A $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Max Whitby, Bigger Than Thorn is a half-brother to the G3 Nakayama Lord Derby Challenge Trophy winner Fiano Romano (Fastnet Rock). Their dam Heart Ashley (USA) (Lion Heart {USA}) won twice at Group 3 level in North America. She is a half-sister to the G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup winner Cupid (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and the G3 Railbird S. winner Ashley’s Kitty (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Racing.com Park, Race 3, 7.00pm AEDT, O’Brien Real Estate Pakenham Maiden, $35,000, 1400m
Carpool Karaoke (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was secured for NZ$700,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka and will be the first foal to race for Tricia’o (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who won on a couple of occasions.
The late Tavistock (NZ), sire of Carpool Karaoke
She is a half-sister to the G2 Winter S. winner La Sizeranne (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and the Listed Queen Adelaide S. winner Za Moulin Rouge (Street Cry {Ire}). The pedigree page also features the G1 Australian Derby winner Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). Carpool Karaoke is trained by Anthony Freedman and showed he can be a force to be reckoned with on debut with a tidy trial win at Cranbourne in the hands of Matthew Allen, who has the ride again.
