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’re expecting a bold debut showing from a 2-year-old who has trialled well and another juvenile who can show significant improvement off a sound opening effort. At Racing.com Park, we like the chances of a 3-year-old who placed on the track in his only appearance.
Scone, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Pages Event Hire Mdn, $20,000, 1100m
Titan Of Industry (Written Tycoon) was a $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a half-brother to the winner Zoomesday (Zoustar). Their dam Zeltara (Exceed And Excel) was successful three times up to 1350 metres and is a half-sister to the black type winner Missy Cummings (Magnus), the dam of the dual Group 2 winner Mizzy (Zoustar).
Titan Of Industry as a yearling
The second dam Prime Again (Marooned {GB}) won the G2 WATC Champion Fillies’ S. and was runner-up in the G1 South Australian Oaks. Prepared by Matthew Vella, Titan Of Industry has placed in both of his lead-up trials and from a handy gate looks primed to impress on debut.
Scone, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, trybooking.com Mdn, $20,000, 1400m
Saquon (No Nay Never {USA}) had trialled well before he finished an improver’s fifth in a competitive line-up at Newcastle. It’s more than reasonable to expect him to have derived benefit from that experience and look for sharp improvement from the Paul Perry-prepared gelding.
Saquon as a yearling
Purchased for $150,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Saquon is a half-brother to three winners with their dam Laurelling (USA) (Highest Honor {Fr}). She is a sister to the G1 Racing Post Trophy winner and sire Medaaly (GB) and the dual Group 2 winner and sire Charnwood Forest (Ire). Fresnaye (SAF) (Western Winter {USA}) and Desideratum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) are other international Group winners in the pedigree.
Racing.com Park, Race 2, 1pm AEST, Superior Food Services Mdn, $20,700, 1200m
Dane Zelek (Dane Shadow) is a brother to the Listed Canberra Cup winner Fill The Page, who has produced the G3 Grand Prix S. winner Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}), and the six-time winner and Group performer Patch Adams. They are out of Dorothy Dinosaur (Canny Lad) and the family of Magical Pearl (Keltrice), a multiple black type winner.
The late Dane Shadow, sire of Dane Zelek
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Dane Zelek hadn’t been to any official trials before he made his debut at over this course and distance last month. The 3-year-old was well-supported and didn’t disappoint, making the play in front and boxing on well for third. He’ll will no doubt strip sharper and from the inside gate can open his winning account.
