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 have found two well-related prospects at The Valley, one already a winner and the other colt poised for his first success, and at Albury a 3-year-old looks poised to add another success to his record.
The Valley, Race 2, 6.00pm AEDT, Evolve Interiors Emma Boling Plate, $135,000, 1200m
Ocular (Written Tycoon) was a $250,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale buy for trainer Shea Eden and is a son of Dowager Princess (NZ) (Savabeel), who won as a 2-year-old. She is a sister to the multiple stakes-winner Dowager Queen (NZ) who also placed three times at Group 1 level. Further back in the pedigree is the G1 Patinack Classic winner Swick (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Ocular as a yearling
A dominant debut winner at Werribee on Christmas Eve, Ocular has only been out once since and finished runner-up at Caulfield. He was beaten there by How Womantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}) and she went on to win her next two starts, including the G3 Kevin Hayes S., so the form is strong for a race like this.
The Valley, Race 3, 6.30pm AEDT, Listed Palentino Ready To Launch Pearl, $140,000, 1200m
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-prepared Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) is presented with an ideal opportunity to open his account off the back of bold showings in better quality races. The colt finished third in the Inglis Millennium two runs back and was then runner-up in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. so this represents a significant drop back in class.
Larimer Street as a yearling
He was a $450,000 Melbourne Premier purchase and is a half-brother four winners, including the Group performed Brockhoff (Lonhro). Their dam Original Choice (Redoute’s Choice) is an unraced half-sister to the stakes-winner Chloe In Paris (Exceed And Excel) and is a daughter of the former quality sprinter and G2 Ascot Vale S. winner Innovation Girl (Rubiton).
Albury, Race 5, 3.40pm AEDT, Jayco Albury Guineas, $80,000, 1400m
Mensa Missile (Smart Missile) is the first foal of the unraced Irresistible Charm (Northern Meteor) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Shannon S. winner Rocky Sturdy (Fastnet Rock), who also placed in the G1 Emirates S. The dam Tzu His (Quest For Fame {GB}) is a half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winners Swift Alliance (Don Eduardo {NZ}) and Sultry Feeling (Encosta De Lago).
Mensa Missile as a yearling
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Mensa Missile won two trials before finishing fourth first time out on a soft Kensington track. Back on a drier surface at Wyong, he led all the way to post a runaway victory. The 3-year-old is favoured with a handy gate and can make another bold bid off the front.
