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 settled on a pair of first-timers with Group 1 pedigrees and trial performances to back their claims, while at Geelong another debut runner from a top family makes a strong appeal.
Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Hyland Race Colours Plate, $45,000, 1100m
Kiku (Zoustar) hails from a smart sprinting background and is a sister to the G2 Bobbie Lewis H. winner Zoutori, who also finished runner-up in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Their dam is the unraced Atotori (Haradasun) and she is a half-sister to the G3 Kenilworth Winter Guineas winner Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt). Their dam is a three-quarter sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire New Approach (Ire).
Kiku as a yearling
A $300,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Kiku has been given a couple of trials by trainer Chris Waller and wasn’t pushed out in the latest of them to finish third at Rosehill. With a speedy pedigree to call on and the benefit of the inside gate, the filly warrants serious attention.
Kensington, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Sky Racing Active Plate, $45,000, 1100m
Ocean Emperor (Written Tycoon) has put in a pair of encouraging trial performances for Bjorn Baker, finishing second in his first outing at Randwick and then comfortably won his latest heat at Rosehill. He too has drawn the inside gate and Jason Collett will continue his association with the youngster.
Ocean Emperor as a yearling
The colt was purchased at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $220,000 with his dam the multiple winner Bubbles ‘N’ Boats (Fastnet Rock). She is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 VRC Derby winner Extra Brut (Domesday) and also the well-performed family of the international Group winners Esteemed Friend (USA) (Gulch {USA}), Badouizm (USA) (Sheikh Abadou {GB}) and Yarrow Brae (USA) (Deputy Minister {Can}).
bet365 Geelong, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, bet365 Odds Drift Protector maiden, $31,500, 1200m
Anthemic (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was a $220,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate and was sixth on debut at Echuca where he went back from a wide gate and made ground for sixth. The colt is sure to be sharper for the experience and from a handy barrier promises to be more competitive.
The late Tavistock (NZ) sire of Anthemic (NZ)
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Anthemic is a son of the former champion 2-year-old and G1 Diamond S. winner Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire}) and she is a half-sister to the former champion 3-year-old and multiple Group 1 winner Katie Lee (NZ) (Pins). It’s also the family of the two-time Group 1-winning sprinter Gee I Jane (NZ) (Jahafil {GB}).
