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 Friday, Greg Hickman debuts a son of Hinchinbrook at Taree, while at Geelong, a smart colt resumes for Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, while Chris Waller looks for a maiden win from a horse who has form around a pair of Group 1 winners.
Taree, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Tooheys Extra Dry 2YO Mdn, $22,000, 1250m
Hinch'em Up (Hinchinbrook) debuts for Greg Hickman here, having finished close-up in a recent Warwick Farm barrier trial. He is drawn to make his presence felt in what looks a good 2-year-old race to kick his career off in.
The late Hinchinbrook, sire of Hinch'em Up
He was a $60,000 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale buy, who was then pinhooked for $100,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale where Hickman secured him from Lyndhurst Farm's draft. He is out of the stakes-placed mare Our Kitty (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), who has already produced four winners. It is the extended family of a number of stakes winners, including the multiple Group 1 winner and influential sire Grosvenor (NZ).
Geelong, Race 1, 12.30pm AEST, Bet365 Odds Drift Protector 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1112m
The Catch (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) competed in some strong races at his first preparation, including the G2 VRC Sires' Produce S. and this maiden looks a much more suitable class of race off a very good recent jump-out, where he worked home very nicely along the inside to win.
The Catch as a yearling
He was a $375,000 yearling purchase for Spendthrift Australia from the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is out of multiple stakes-winner Curtana (Exceed And excel), the sister to multiple Group 1 winner Flamberge and half-sister to the talented by ill-fated Sunburnt Land (Scenic {Ire}) and the Group 3 winner Durendal (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}).
Geelong, Race 2, 1pm AEST, Allianz Insurance 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1112m
Blondeau (I Am Invincible) comes into this race with a last-start third behind subsequent G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) which looks a nice recommendation for this race. He also boasts form around top-class 2-year-olds King's Legacy (Redoute's Choice) and Aim (Star Witness).
I Am Invincible, sire of Blondeau | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
He cost Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster $375,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Baramul Stud. He is the first foal from Bit Of Cheek (More Than Ready {USA}), who is a two-time winning daughter of G1 Flight S. winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute's Choice). This colt had a recent Flemington jump-out and hit the line nicely, indicating he is primed to break his maiden in this race.
