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 are expecting a juvenile at Bendigo to go one better on a debut second and a maiden to improve on a bold first-up showing, while at Spendthrift Park Australia we like the chances of a 3-year-old shedding his novice tag.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Welcome Back Owners 2YO, 31,500, 1600m
Confrontational (Redoute’s Choice) was a $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a half-brother to a pair of winners. Their dam Zastava (Encosta De Lago) was successful on two occasions and is out of a half-sister to the black type winner Madam Stravinsky (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Confrontational
Prepared by Jason Warren, Confrontational didn’t front up at any official trials before he made his debut at Mornington. The colt made all the running and was run down late in the piece to finish runner-up. He will take a lot from that experience and is bred to relish the step up to a mile.
Bendigo, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Apiam Animal Health Mdn, $31,500, 1600m
The Chris Waller-trained import Austrata (Ire) (Australia {GB}) gave a decent account of himself first time out on this course when he came from well back in the field to run fourth over 1300 metres. That effort, and his pedigree, strongly suggests he will be even more competitive at this distance.
Australia (GB), sire of Austrata (Ire) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
His brother Kesla (Ire) has won at 2400 metres and their dam Caserta (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is a half-sister to the Listed winner Destruct (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) and the Group performer Quickfire (GB) (Dubai Millennium {GB}). They are out of the G2 Prix de Chantilly winner Daring Miss (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}), a three-quarter sister to the G2 Prix de Royallieu winner Dance Routine (GB).
Spendthrift Australia Park, Race 1, 12.10pm AEST, Bookit Bookkeeping Mdn, $20,700, 1100m
Nasukawa (Fighting Sun) was a $90,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale purchase and is out of the unraced Serene Rose (Ferocity). She is a half-sister to the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Rampant Lion (Lion Hunter).
Nasukawa as a yearling
It is the family of the Group 1 winners Danni Martine (Danzero), De Gaulle Lane (The Commander) and You Remember (Gold Carat {USA}). Nasukawa is trained by Robert Hickmott and following placings at both of his starts the 3-year-old shapes as an excellent winning prospect in the hands of Michael Dee.
