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, a Peter and Paul Snowden colt takes on the older horses at Gosford, where we also have a Charm Spirit (Ire) filly on debut for John O'Shea, while at Ballarat, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace present a well-bred daughter of Headwater.
Gosford, Race 3, 1.25pm AEST, Tooheys Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Sharpshooter (Hinchinbrook) has been mixing it with some nice 2-year-olds this campaign and while he steps up against the older horses here, it looks the right sort of race for him, given he was beaten only 0.7l in a fairly strong midweek race last time out.
Sharpshooter as a yearling
He was a $280,000 purchase for China Horse Club/Newgate/WinStar at last year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, being a half-brother to Listed winner Caiparinha (Nicconi) and the metropolitan winner Victorious Seeker (Sebring). They are out of the unraced mare Prostar (Starcraft {NZ}), who was herself a half to a Group 3 winner, Collate (Catbird).
Ballarat Synthetic, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, Polytrack Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Kiani (Headwater) debuts here with a bit of a boom having had a couple of trials back in Sydney against some good quality horses. She was scratched from a race at Cranbourne earlier this week to contend in this race for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Kiani as a yearling
She was a $100,000 buy for Maher at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale and races in the ownership of Vinery Stud, who stand her sire, as well as her breeder, Wayne Alchin of Carramar Park. Her dam, Brilliant Snitzel (Snitzel), was a 2-year-old winner and has produced the winner Intense Focus (Mossman). She is closely related to stakes-winners Made Of Diamonds (Made Of Gold) and Untamed Diamond (Snitzel).
Gosford, Race 4, 2.05pm AEST, Debortoli Wines Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
The John O'Shea-trained Dopplepunkt (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) impressed with a recent trial win at Randwick and the 3-year-old filly makes her debut here in what looks a nice maiden to kick things off in.
Dopplepunkt (NZ) as a yearling
She was bred by Gordon Cunningham, whose Curraghmore operation offered her for sale at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, where she fetched NZ$100,000 to O'Shea.
Her stakes-placed dam Que Sera (NZ) (Daggers Drawn {USA}) has produced the winners Paris Rock (NZ) (Rock 'N' Pop) and Glorious Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). Que Sera is also a half-sister to Group 3 winners Madison Point (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}) and Dollars'n'Gold (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}).
