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 focussing our efforts at the Kembla Grange meeting where we fancy the chances of a couple of fillies to successfully kick off new campaigns and a 3-year-old on debut from the family of the champion sire King Kamehameha (Jpn).
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 1.29pm AEDT, Dunmore 3-Year-Old, $35,000, 1000m
Van Giz (Written Tycoon) is a half-sister to three winners with their dam Witwatersrand (Ire) (Unfuwain {USA}) hailing from a well-performed international family. She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Cap O’Rushes (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Splendid Era (UAE) (Green Desert {USA}) and their dam Valley Of Gold (Fr) (Shirley Heights {GB}) won the G1 Italian Oaks.
Van Giz as a yearling
A $160,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, Van Giz was signed for by trainer Bjorn Baker and she has made a bright start to her career. She was placed at her second start and then won at Hawkesbury before a break. She has recently placed in both of her trials and also has the benefit of Tom Sherry’s 2kg claim.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 2.49pm AEDT, Minnamurra H., $35,000, 1400m
Cottenham (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) resumes here for trainer John O’Shea following an encouraging first preparation. The filly wasted no time breaking her maiden at Newcastle and, following a spell, has had a couple of open trials to ready her for her return.
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Cottenham (NZ)
She was a NZ$240,000 New Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Aotearower (NZ) (Shamardal {USA}). They are out of the former quality race mare Kaatoon (NZ) (Kaapstad), who won G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and the G3 Lowland S. It is a successful North American family that also features the G2 Theo Marks H. winner Alquoz (USA) (Caerleon {USA}).
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 3.29pm AEDT, Shell Cove Maiden, $35,000, 1600m
Epiline (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is an interesting runner with the Chris Waller-trained filly on debut and she’s been given a good ground with three trials to prepare her for a first-up crack at a mile. There’s also plenty in her pedigree to suggest she can make an impact.
Epiline as a yearling
She was a $260,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy and is a half-sister to Safe Passage (Snitzel), who was recently a stylish debut winner in New Zealand. Their dam is the unraced Travessia (Jpn) and she is a half-sister to the champion sire King Kamehameha (Jpn) and the G1 Santa Anita Derby winner The Deputy (Ire) (Petardia {GB}).
