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, the Maher-Eustace team debut a well-bred filly at Cranbourne, while at Hawkesbury, a filly from a Group 1-winner looks to break her maiden, while a Deep Field 2-year-old kicks off her career for Gabrielle Englebrecht.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Kennards Hire 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Miss Clicquot (Spirit Of Boom) creates plenty of interest on debut in this race after showing a fair bit at a recent jump-out, which she won after sitting up on the pace. She was a $150,000 purchase for her co-trainer Ciaron Maher at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale from her breeders at Eureka Stud, who retained a share in her and in whose colours she runs.
Miss Clicquot as a yearling
Her dam, Goodlookin Gambler (Johannesburg {USA}) was a winner over 1000 metres and has already produced the Listed winner Perudo (Spirit Of Boom) as well as three other winners. Goodlookin Gambler is also a half-sister to Group 1 winner Scenic Peak (Scenic {Ire}) as well as the dam of Listed winner Personal Peak (Personal Flag {GB}).
Hawkesbury, Race 3, 2.05pm AEST, New Haven Farm Home 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Tolerate (So You Think {NZ}) has been building to win and could at her third start. She debuted with a second at Grafton is April and was then unplaced in midweek metropolitan company at Canterbury and drops back in class and distance here for trainer Matthew Dunn.
So You Think (NZ), sire of Tolerate | Standing at Coolmore
She is exceptionally well-bred being the final foal from Group 1-winning mare Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), who has produced the stakes-winning pair Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and Prima Nova (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Hawkesbury, Race 4, 2.45pm AEST, Indpendant Liquor Group 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
In what looks a pretty deep 2-year-old race, Mezzaluna (Deep Field) debuts for Gabrielle Englebrecht off a couple of reasonable trials which should have her well-placed to make some impression on debut. She closed off well from the rear in both trials, and while the 1000 metres might be a bit sharp, she should be finishing off strongly.
Mezzaluna as a yearling
She was a $150,000 buy for Blandford Bloodstock and Speriamo Bloodstock at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale out of the Group 3-winning mare Isibaeva (Johannesburg {USA}), who has also produced the winner Sidorova (Brazen Beau). The second dam, Dragila, was Encosta De Lago's first ever stakes winner.
