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 expecting an expensive colt to star at Taree where we also like a lightly-tried last-start winner. At Moe, we are in the corner of a 3-year-old and expecting him to go close following a sound debut performance.
Taree, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Eddie’s Fresh Chickens Plate, $30,000, 1000m
Midland (Brazen Beau) trialled well before opening his autumn campaign at Gosford where he finished second and he filled a similar position at Newcastle before he was turned out. The Kris Lees-trained runner has won another trial earlier this month and looks poised to open his account in Jason Collett’s hands.
Midland as a yearling
A $550,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate, Midland is a half-brother to the Listed Strutt S. winner Rock Dove (Epaulette) with their dam the Dubawi (Ire) mare Pouter. She is a half-sister to the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas winner and G1 Spring Champion S. placegetter Excelltastic (Exceed And Excel).
Taree, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Manning River Times H., $30,000, 1250m
Maasai Mara (Dream Ahead {USA}) has made a bright start to her career and followed up a debut third with success at Coffs Harbour where she rounded off strongly for a dominant victory. She will again be ridden by Kirk Mathieson and a combination that looks capable of striking again.
Maasai Mara as a yearling
Prepared by part-owner Terry Evans, Maasai Mara is a daughter of the unraced Miss Little Fish (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), whose three foals to race have all been successful. She is out of a half-sister to Bawalaksana (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) winner at Group 1 level of the Railway S., and the Telegraph H. and to the G3 Matriarch S. winner Damaschino (Last Tycoon {Ire}).
Moe, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Moe Optical 3YO Plate, $23,000, 1216m
Flash Flood (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is a son of the Exceed And Excel mare Giuditta, who is a half-sister to four winners and their dam is a half-sister to the G1 Del Mark John Mabee H. winner and multiple Group 2 winner Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}).
Night Of Thunder (Ire), sire of Flash Flood | Standing at Darley Australia
The G1 Australian Derby winner and sire Roman Emperor (NZ) and the G2 Wellington Guineas winner and sire Rios (NZ) are also members of this family. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Flash Flood acquitted himself well when third on debut at Wodonga where he was well-backed and it looks wise advice to follow the money again.
