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 a pair of 2-year-olds making their first appearances at Warwick Farm and have both the pedigrees and trial performances to make impacts. At Ladbrokes Park, we like the chances of a filly who was placed on debut from an awkward gate and can show improvement from an inside barrier.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, Sky Racing Active Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Codebreaker (Exceed And Excel) was a $360,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a brother to the two-time winner Super Oasis. Their dam is Puzzle (Shamardal {USA}), who was successful as a 2-year-old and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner English (Encosta De Lago). They are out of Court (Anabaa {USA}), the winner of two Group 2 events and one at Group 3 level.
Codebreaker as a yearling
Also from the family of the G1 Dewhurst S. winner and successful sire Grand Lodge (USA), Codebreaker is trained by Mark Newnham and has been well schooled with four trial outings. He has a win and three placings to his credit and, with Josh Parr in the saddle, the colt looks a top prospect to shine on debut.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Bisley Workwear Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Godolphin runner Raison D’Etre (Exceed And Excel) is a daughter of Abduction (Street Cry {Ire}), who was a capable filly and won as a juvenile and finished runner-up in the G2 Wakeful S. She is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and G1 Australian Derby runner-up Retrieve (Rahy {USA}) and dual Listed winner Reparations (Exceed And Excel). Further back in the pedigree is the G1 Dubai World Cup winner Prince Bishop (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Exceed And Excel, sire of Raison D’Etre | Standing at Darley
Raison D’Etre hasn’t been pushed out in two trial outings with James McDonald riding the filly on both times and an encouraging sign that he sticks with her. He has partnered a few of her rivals on both race day and at trials. From an inside gate, they look a partnership worthy of support.
Ladbrokes Park, Race 2, 3.30pm AEDT, Ladbrokes H., $50,000, 1300m
Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) placed at the trials for trainer Anthony Freedman before she made her first appearance at Ballarat. The filly produced a solid performance and, from a wide gate, went back and made late ground to finish third and a performance she can improve on from an inside gate.
The late Hinchinbrook, sire of Chica Fuerte
A $300,000 Gold Coast buy, Chica Fuerte is a half-sister to the dual winner Latina Beauty (Deep Field) and they are daughters of the unraced Guapa (USA) (Rock Hard Ten {USA}). Her strong North American pedigree includes the G1 Flower Bowl H. winner First Approach (USA) (Northern Fling {USA}) and a family that has excelled in Australia through the Group 1 winning siblings Assertive Lad (Zeditave) and Assertive Lass, dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Reset.
