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’re keen on the chances of a filly resuming on the Kensington track, a 2-year-old at Kembla Grange from the family of High Chaparral (Ire) and at Flemington we believe the step up to 1800 metres to be ideal for a last-start placegetter.
Kensington, Race 1, 11.40am AEST, Everest Carnival On Sale H., $125,000, 1400m
Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) looked well above average in a brief first campaign and after winning on debut she then finished fourth in a competitive G3 Baillieu H. before a spell. She has come back to have a couple of quiet trials and with the benefit of a 3kg apprentice claim looks well-placed to make an impact.
Montefilia as a yearling
Trained by David Payne, Montefilia was a $130,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase and is a daughter of the stakes performer Bana Wu (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), who has produced three winners. The dam is out of a half-sister to the two-time Group 2 winner and G1 Newmarket Dewhurst S. placegetter Strategic Prince (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 2.24pm AEST, Sheppo’s 2YO H., $35,000, 1200m
Zabavno (Exosphere) was a $250,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale buy and is a half-brother to the winner and black-type placegetter Thief Of Hearts (Show A Heart). They are out of the G3 Dahlia S. runner-up Casilda (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who boasts a rich international pedigree.
Zabavno as a yearling
She is a half-sister to Kotama (USA) (Shahrastani {USA}) and Khanata (Riverman {USA}), both winners of the Listed One Thousand Guineas Trial, and to the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire High Chaparral. Trained by Joe Pride, Zabavno can show significant improvement from a perfect gate on a sound effort when fourth on debut at Gosford.
Flemington, Race 3, 1.05pm AEST, Byerley H., $100,000, 1800m
Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has both the pedigree and performance to suggest he will take some beating here. He was a NZ$50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale graduate and is out of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Luminova (NZ).
Johnny Get Angry (NZ) as a yearling
She is a daughter of the stakes-winner Pavlova (Singspiel {Ire}) and is a half- sister to the G2 Autumn Classic winner Fubu (Last Tycoon {Ire}) and the family of the G1 Mackinnon S. winner Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}). Prepared by Denis Pagan, Johnny Get Angry finished well for third in the Listed Gibson Carmichael S. at his second run and the extra distance looks tailor-made for him.
