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 take the chances of a pair of lightly-tried youngsters from well-performed families seriously and at Racing.com Park we’re keen on the prospects of a 3-year-old resuming on a winning note.
Wyong, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Ses Volunteers Thank You Maiden, $35,000, 1000m
Zanzidance (Deep Field) comes from a well-performed sprinting background and is a half-sister to the multiple Group 3 placed 3-year-old Rome (Pierro). They are out of Dance Card (Exceed And Excel) who is a half-sister to the G3 Southern Cross S. winner Kapernick (Fastnet Rock). It’s also the family of the G1 Sangster S. winner Spright (Hinchinbrook).
Zanzidance as a yearling
A $320,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, the Mark Newnham-trained Zanzidance gave a bold sight on debut over this course and distance. She fought on strongly for second after being on the pace all the way and has a golden chance to go one better.
Wyong, Race 4, 2.50pm AEST, www.tab.com.au Prov & Ctry H., $35,000, 1350m
Divine Eleven (Redoute’s Choice) has looked promising in a brief career and he looks well-placed to shed his novice tag in this. He led and weakened to fifth when resuming, but that outing should see him strip fitter and be much more of a force to be reckoned with.
Divine Eleven as a yearling
Purchased for $160,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Divine Eleven is a half-brother to five winners including the stakes performer Luskintyre Lass (Snitzel). His dam Gold Fortune (Made Of Gold {USA}) is out of a half-sister to the G1 WATC Derby winner Shirazamatazz (Barathea {Ire}) and his two-time stakes-winning brother Reigning Halo.
Racing.com Park, Race 2, 6.00pm AEST, Lifestyle Communities Kaduna Park Plate, $31,500, 1200m
Johnnyel (Zoustar) placed twice in his first preparation and did enough to suggest that with the benefit of a spell he can make an impact in his first-up run. He’s drawn in close enough for rider Regan Bayliss to give the 3-year-old every chance.
Johnnyel as a yearling
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Johnnyel is a son of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Reinvent and her dam is a half-sister to Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga), who won four times at Group 1 level. Current stakes form has been added to the family by the recent G3 Epona S. winner Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
