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 a closer look at a pair of well-related fillies who are making their first appearances at Goulburn following time off and at Geelong we like a debutante who comes from a well-performed family with a heavy emphasis on speed.
Goulburn, Race 2, 12.30pm AEST, Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mdn, $20,000, 1300m
Toscanini (Fastnet Rock) makes a fresh start here and a couple of lead-up trials should have him ready to fire first-up. He turned in some encouraging performances during his initial campaign, finishing fourth in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) and fifth in the Listed Talindert S. so they are strong form lines for a race such as this.
Toscanini as a yearling
Prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Toscanini was a NZ$270,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale buy and is the first foal of the G3 Stewards’ S. winner Soubrettes (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). She is out of a half-sister to the G1 Otaki Maori WFA S. winner Star Satire (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), who has produced the multiple Group 2 winners Satin Shoes (Flying Spur) and Zarzuela (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Goulburn, Race 3, 1.05pm AEST, Barlens Hire Mdn, $20,000, 1300m
Bizou (Zoustar) was a $150,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale graduate and boasts a strong international family. She is a daughter of the stakes performer Dutch Romance (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and she is a sister to the G2 Goodwood Lennox S. winner Dutch Connection (GB). Bella Tusa (Ire) (Sri Pekan {USA}) is another multiple stakes winner close up in the pedigree.
Bizou as a yearling
Trained by John O’Shea, Bizou turned in the best performance of her brief career when she led and was run down late to finish runner-up in February. She has improved with each of her trials since returning to work and appeals as a strong each-way prospect.
Geelong, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Bet365 Odds Drift Protector Mdn, $31,500, 1140m
Aswaat (Deep Field) hasn’t been sent to any public trials by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, but on pedigree alone she is worth serious consideration. The filly has the ideal draw to show she has inherited the speed qualities her pedigree is littered with.
Aswaat as a yearling
She is out of Clear Ripples (Fastnet Rock), successful twice up to 1200 metres, and she is out of an unraced half-sister to the G2 Phar Lap S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), her six-time Hong Kong black type-winning brother Scintillation and the Listed Juanmo S. winner Risk Aversion (Encosta De Lago). Aswaat was a $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase with the G1 Diamond S. winner Summer Passage (Snitzel) also a member of her family.
