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 of a 2-year-old making a fresh start at Canterbury Park where a filly can go one better after a bold second at her first appearance. At the Warrnambool meeting, we’re suggesting it will pay to stick with a colt, despite his defeat at short odds on debut.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Iron Jack H., $45,000, 1200m
With the edge of race day experience on her side, September Run (Exceed And Excel) might have an edge on a number of her rivals. She hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth in the G3 Widden S., but was only 3l off the winner Away Game (Snitzel) and that in itself is a grand form reference for a midweek event.
September Run as a yearling
Trained by Chris Waller, the filly has trialled well ahead of her return and with the in-form Hugh Bowman in the saddle looms as a serious winning prospect. September Run was a $380,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale graduate and her dam Pittstburgh Flyer (Street Cry {Ire}) won the G3 Mumm S. and the Listed Security S. Her mother Warning Zone (SAF) (Eliodor {SAF}) was the champion juvenile of her year.
Canterbury Park, Race 3, 2.00pm AEST, Press Statement @ Vinery H., $85,000, 1250m
Aqueous (Written Tycoon) was a $240,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sister to the Listed Twilight Glow S. winner Mezaray Miss (Artie Schiller {USA}). Their dam Aqualuna (Quest For Fame {GB}) was a 2-year-old winner and is a half-sister to the dam of the Listed Perth S. winner Hantu (Scenic {Ire}), who was also a stakes winner in Hong Kong as Down Town.
Aqueous as a yearling
From the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, Aqueous turned in an encouraging trial performance before she made her first appearance at Nowra where she led and was run down late to finish a close second. She was at short odds that day and it may pay to follow the money again as the filly should get a soft lead from the inside gate.
Warrnambool, Race 1, 12.00pm AEST, TAB 2YO H., $31,500, 1100m
The Billionaire (Written Tycoon) carried plenty of support when he made his debut at Bendigo in early April and he made the running before weakening out to finish fifth. It was a sound enough first-up effort and the experience can only stand him in good stead.
The Billionaire as a yearling
The Anthony Freedman-trained colt was popular at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he sold for $400,000 and is a brother to Trump, who won eight races including the G3 Gunsynd Classic.
Their dam Queenie (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) was a two-time sprint winner and is a half-sister to stakes performer Amarantha (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}). They are out of a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Flitter (Bluebird {USA}) and the family of the Group 2 winners Ringerdingding (Sebring) and Jessy Belle (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
