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 like the prospects at Canterbury Park of a pair of sparingly-raced 3-year-olds and at Lakeside Park we are expecting a filly to make a strong impact in her first appearance since performing creditably in Group 2 company.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, Hyland Race Colours H., $50,000, 1200m
Cat D’Oro (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) has the pedigree and the form on the board to strongly suggest he is going to open his account in this. He is the first foal of Catkins (Dubawi {Ire}), a quality race mare who was successful five times at Group 2 level and was a four-time Group 1 placegetter.
Medaglia D'Oro (USA), sire of Cat D'Oro | Standing at Darley America
Prepared by Chris Waller, Cat D’Oro made late ground to finish fourth behind the highly-regarded Yardstick (Criterion {NZ}) and then showed pleasing improvement to finish runner-up on this course. The step up to 1200 metres will suit the colt and with James McDonald to take the ride again they look the favoured combination.
Canterbury Park, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Bowermans Commercial Furniture H., $50,000, 1200m
Elizabeel (Power {GB}) took on some quality opposition during her first preparation and shaped encouragingly before a break. She finished runner-up to Bellevue Star (Sebring) over this track and distance and was then third to the unbeaten Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) at Randwick.
Power (GB), sire of Elizabeel | Standing at Oaklands Stud
The John Sargent-trained Elizabeel has trialled well at Rosehill and a bold first-up performance looks on the cards. She is a daughter of Now And Again (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the family of the G3 Rotorua Arawa S. winner Volks Lightning (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), who also finished third in the G1 Railway S.
Lakeside Park, Race 2, 1pm AEST, MRC Membership H., $50,000, 1400m
Surooj (Sebring) is out of the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders S. winner Shaaheq (Redoute’s Choice), who also finished second in the G1 Blue Diamond S. She is a daughter of the G3 Matriarch S. winner Damaschino (Last Tycoon {Ire}) and her half-sister Bawalaksana (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) won the Railway H. and Telegraph H. at Group 1 level.
The late Sebring, sire of Surooj
As a 2-year-old, Surooj won the first time out before placing at her next start and then finished a close fourth in the G2 MSS Security Sires’ Produce S. With fresh form to her credit and the benefit of an ideal gate, the filly looks poised to make an impression here for trainers Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes and jockey Luke Nolen.
