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 hot on the trail of two particularly well-related 3-year-olds making their first appearances while at The Valley we like the chances of a 2-year-old going one better on his first-up effort for second.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Your Business Here Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
Malfy (Dundeel {NZ}) is a half-sister to the G2 Ajax S. winner and G1 Railway S. runner-up Messene (Lonhro) and the Listed Australia Day S. winner Cordero (Gio Ponti {USA}). Their dam Belle Giselle (Redoute’s Choice) is a half-sister to the breed-shaping stallion Zabeel (NZ) and a sister to the G1 Australian Guineas winner and sire Baryshnikov (Kenmare {Fr}).
Dundeel (NZ) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
It is also the family of the Group winners and active sires Hallowed Crown and Needs Further. Trained by Mark Newnham, Malfy was second in her latest trial at Randwick and looks poised to make an impact at the first time of asking.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Adz Tyre & Battery Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
There will be plenty of interest in the debut performance of Stark (I Am Invincible) as he is the first foal of the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel (Commands), also successful in a pair of Group 2 events. She is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock), dam of the recent G3 Royal Ascot Hampton Court S. winner Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Stark as a yearling
Also from the family of The Galaxy H. winner I Am Excited (Snitzel), Stark was a $1.45 million Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling purchase and has been extensively trialled. He has been given a couple of quieter outings most recently by trainer Brad Widdup and should be ready to put his rich pedigree to winning use.
The Valley, Race 2, 12.45pm AEST, Leneva Park Plate, $31,500, 1200m
Jay Gatsby (Brazen Beau) made a sound start to his career last month when he made steady ground to finish runner-up. He will surely strip sharper for the outing and, importantly, has drawn a handy gate in a big field.
Jay Gatsby as a yearling
Prepared by Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes, Jay Gatsby is a half-brother to the multiple winners and stakes performers Wazzenme (Wanted) and Free Of Doubt (Not A Single Doubt). They are out of On The Loose (Strategic), who was successful three times, and she is a half-sister to the G3 Carbine Club Trophy winner Inspire (Rory’s Jester).
