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’re keen on the chances of a pair of well-related 3-year-olds whose latest performances suggest they will be worth support on the Kensington track. At Ladbrokes Park, we focus on a maiden prospect with plenty of Group 1 form in his pedigree to back his claims.
Kensington, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, TAB Venue Mode Plate, $50,000, 1400m
Understatement (Fastnet Rock) is a brother to the multiple winner and Group 2 performer Italia Belle and they are out of the former top galloper Pear Tart (Dehere {USA}). She won six races, including the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara and the G2 Queensland Guineas. Her dam is a sister to the French stakes-winner Sensible (Fr) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and the family of the G1 Santa Anita Yellow Ribbon S. winner Aube Indienne (Fr) (Bluebird {USA}).
Understatement as a yearling
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Understatement failed to meet his $300,000 reserve at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and gave a good sight on debut when he finished fourth at Gosford behind Kumasi (Snitzel). He has since come out and run second in the G3 Pago Pago S. so it’s a form line that points to Understatement being hard to roll.
Kensington, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Vinery Stallion H., $50,000, 1550m
Significance (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was a $1.1 million Inglis Easter purchase and is the first foal to race for Aqua Bella (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Ame Bleue (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) with their dam the three-time Group 1 winner Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill {USA}). Her sister Artiste Royal (Ire) won the G1 Charles Whittingham Memorial H.
Significance (GB) as a yearling
This colt is trained by John O’Shea and was put aside after he ran fourth in the Listed Fernhill H. and on his return had a couple of trials before resuming at Kembla Grange. He turned in a solid effort to finish runner-up and over a bit more ground he makes strong appeal to go one better.
Ladbrokes Park, Race 1, 2.55pm AEDT, Clanbrooke Racing Plate, $50,000, 1400m
Bayvista (Deep Field) gave a bold account of himself at the first time of asking for Team Hawkes when he kicked on strongly to run second at The Valley. That experience is sure to stand him in good stead here and with the added benefit of Michael Poy’s 1.5kg claim he looks a royal chance.
Bayvista as a yearling
An $80,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase, Bayvista is out of the unraced Vonzelle (Redoute’s Choice) and is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winning sprinter and sire Sudurka (Perugino {USA}). Their dam is a half-sister to My Brilliant Star (Copper Kingdom {USA}), who won three times at the elite level, and produced the G1 Toorak H. winner Shot Of Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}).
