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 like the chances at Nowra of a maiden going one better on a debut second and a filly who has won both of her recent trials. At the Sale meeting we’ve settled on a 3-year-old making her first appearance and is from a family with close up Group 1 form.
Nowra, Race 1, 12.55pm AEDT, Kel Campbell Fuel Haulage Maiden, $22,000, 1100m
The Amanda Turner-trained Mr Resilient (Rubick) gave a bold showing off the back of a couple of trial outings in his first race day appearance when he finished runner-up at Goulburn. The chestnut is sure to have derived benefit from the experience and looks poised to go one better.
Mr Resilient as a yearling
Mr Resilient, a NZ$70,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale buy, is a son of the metropolitan winner Federica (Flying Spur) and she is a sister to the dual black type winner and G1 MRC Thousand Guineas runner-up Traveston Girl. They are out of a sister to Defier (Dehere {USA}), successful three times at Group 1 level.
Nowra, Race 7, 4.45pm AEDT, Bomaderry Bowling Club Maiden, $22,000, 1100m
Blazing Line (Fastnet Rock) is on debut here and has won both of her trials at Warwick Farm and at Hawkesbury for trainer Bjorn Baker. She has acted on wet and dry ground and is drawn to make an instant impression and with a pedigree to draw confidence from.
Fastnet Rock, sire of Blazing Line | Standing at Coolmore Stud
The filly is a half-sister to the G2 Autumn S. winner Thunder Fantasy (Lucky Owners {NZ}) and to the stakes performers Flashing Speed (War Pass {USA}) and Eclair Calling (NZ) (Tartan Bearer {Ire}). Their dam is the winning Galileo (Ire) mare Pink Pier, who is from the family of the Group 3 winners Bliss Street (Flying Spur) and Jade Marauder (Fastnet Rock).
Sale, Race 3, 2.05pm AEDT, Anderson’s Removals Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Akima (Fastnet Rock) is a half-sister to the winner Markle (Stratum), a $320,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate, and is out of the stakes-placed Fairy Star (More Than Ready {USA}). She is a half-sister to the winner and G1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up Lizard Island (Sebring).
Fastnet Rock, sire of Akima | Standing at Coolmore Stud
Their dam is a half-sister to the G1 VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese (Belong To Me {USA}) and she has produced the G2 Furious S. winner and G1 Flight S. placegetter Bound For Earth (Northern Meteor). Lindsay Park’s Akima has enough speed in her immediate family to suggest she can produce a bold showing at the first time of asking.
