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.
On Tuesday, we check out a trio of 2-year-olds, the first a Godolphin filly looking for her first win at Kembla Grange and the other two on debut at Bendigo after impressive jump-out wins.
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 12:45pm AEST, Duck Creek Dash 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Godolphin filly In Flanders (Exceed And Excel) drops back significantly in class looking to break her maiden in this race. Placed behind the top filly Cellsabeel (Hinchinbrook) in January, she was last seen on raceday when fifth behind G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Away Game (Snitzel) in the G3 Widden S. and has subsequently won a trial at Hawkesbury.
Exceed And Excel, sire of In Flanders | Standing at Darley
She boasts a strong pedigree, being out of stakes-placed Matilija (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), who is a daughter of Group 2 winner Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), who in turn is a half-sister to G1 Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}).
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Bendigo Locksmiths 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
The Billionaire (Written Tycoon) steps out for the first time for Anthony Freedman having bolted in at a recent Balnarring trial, winning by around 8l after setting the pace throughout.
The Billionaire as a yearling
He was a $400,000 buy at last year's Inglis Classic Sale for Blue Sky Bloodstock, Dream Thoroughbreds, Bluegrass Bloodstock and his trainer out of the Newgate Stud draft. He is a brother to G3 Gunsynd Classic winner Trump out of Queenie (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), who has produced four other winners. The second dam Palace Bound (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Flitter (NZ) (Bluebird {USA}).
Bendigo, Race 2, 1:30pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Tony McEvoy knows a thing or two about Zoustar fillies and he and his son Calvin debut one here in Zou Dancer. She was a $150,000 buy for Bennett Racing and her trainers at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year and is out of a daughter of G1 VRC Oaks winner Tributes (Quest For Fame {GB}) from the family of multiple Singapore stakes-winner Top Spin (Arena).
Zou Dancer as a yearling
She showed impressive speed at a recent Flemington jump-out, leading by a huge margin midway through and was then allowed to coast to the line. That looks an ideal preparation for a race like this.
