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 seriously like the chances of a couple of lightly-tried maiden contenders at the Hawkesbury meeting while at Caulfield a colt from a well-performed black type family warrants serious attention.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.04pm AEDT, Fishboy Seafoods Maiden, $35,000, 1100m
Madam Legend (I Am Invincible) was purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $250,000 and is a half-sister to two winners. The dam Mithila (Encosta De Lago) was unraced and is a half-sister to the G3 SAJC Breeders’ S. winner Murjana (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) and to the dam of the G1 Railway S. winner Gathering (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Madam Legend as a yearling
From the family of the champion sire Redoute’s Choice, Madam Legend has been taken along quietly by trainer Les Bridge and placed in one of two outings in the spring. She has come back from a spell and a win and a runner-up finish at the trials is ample proof she is ready to make an impact.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, New Haven Farm Home Maiden, $35,000, 1500m
Derbari (Dundeel {NZ}) has performed well in both of his starts since a break and at his most recent appearance the 3-year-old boxed on well for third at Wyong. His pedigree suggests the step up in trip here will be ideal and a strong chance to shed his novice tag.
Derbari as a yearling
Trained by Joseph Pride, Derbari was a $120,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-brother to three winners. They are out of Swan River (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and she is a sister to the G2 Alister Clark S. winner Lieutenant and a half-sister to the G2 Tulloch S. winner Count Encosta (Encosta De Lago).
Caulfield, Race 1, 12.25pm AEDT, Robert Taranto H., $125,000, 1100m
Ideas Man (Brazen Beau) found the competition too hot at his last appearance in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and faces a much easier assignment here. A debut winner in the spring, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt is a golden chance to double his tally in this.
Ideas Man as a yearling
A $575,000 Inglis Premier graduate, he is a half-brother to the stakes winner Chloe In Paris (Exceed And Excel) and to the dam of recent black-type winner Larimer Street (Brazen Beau). The dam Innovation Girl (Rubiton) was a talented sprinter who won 10 races, including the G2 Ascot Vale S. and three Group 3 events.
