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 Thursday, we take a look at runners at Gosford and Ballarat who are both out of Group 1-winning mares, and also check out a New Zealand-bred filly looking for her first win.
Gosford, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Kentan Machinery 2 & 3YO Mdn, $31,500, 1600m
The Godolphin colt Namazu (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) has been closing in on a maiden win, finishing third at Canterbury and second at Kembla Grange in his two runs so far this campaign against his own age. He steps up against the 3-year-olds here and also gets to 1600 metres for the first time.
Medaglia D'Oro (USA), sire of Namazu | Standing at Darley Jonabell
He is the only foal to race from the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Earthquake (Exceed And Excel), who also won a trio of other stakes races in a 12-start career that featured five wins. Earthquake is a half-sister to the Listed winner Palomares (Commands) and stakes-placed Pandemic (Sepoy) and is a three-quarter sister to Australia Listed winner and Hong Kong winner Excellent Reward (Exceed And Excel).
Ballarat Synthetic, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, AC Accounting 3YO Fillies Mdn, $31,500, 1100m
Medic (Snitzel) makes her debut for Peter Moody in this race and shapes as an intriguing runner, given she is a full sister to G1 Golden Slipper S, winner Estijaab. Out of dual Group 1-winning mare Response (Charge Forward), she cost Moody Racing $350,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale two months before her sister, who was a $1.7 million yearling, won the Slipper.
Medic as a yearling
Medic started her career with Moody's former employee Clare Cunningham in Sydney, with whom she had five trials, showing some ability in three of those and winning one. She had a recent jump-out for her new trainer at Pakenham and after being slowly away, worked him nicely to finish third.
Ballarat Synthetic, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Craigs Royal Hotel Mdn, $31,500, 1200m
Jenni Bad Cat (NZ) (Savabeel) debuted with a close-up fourth at Pakenham last start behind a promising horse in Zougazem (Zoustar) and is well-fancied to break her maiden here for trainer David Brideoake.
Jenni Bad Cat (NZ) as a yearling
She was a NZ$260,000 buy at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka by Tony Ottobre. Bred by Waikato Stud's Chittick family, she is out of Kansas (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), who is the daughter of Group 3 winner Breezy (NZ) (Pins). That's the family of talented South African pair Dahlia's Legacy (NZ) (Dahar {USA}) and Neo Star (NZ) (Centaine) as well as G2 TJ Smith S., winner Century Kid (NZ) (Centaine).
