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 focus on a couple of lightly-raced 3-year-olds with strong pedigrees to back their claims and at Bendigo we are in the corner of an expensive youngster who looked good last season and looks set for a successful return.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Frosted @ Darley H., $50,000, 1100m
Sixgun (Snitzel) was successful in his only appearance last season and returned to run fifth behind the impressive Anders (Not A Single Doubt) in the Listed Rosebud S. He takes a significant drop back in class here and, if he gets any luck from a tricky draw, looks more than capable of taking advantage.
Snitzel, sire of Sixgun | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Prepared by Mark Newnham, Sixgun has a pedigree to instil further confidence. He is a brother to the G2 Arrowfield Sprint S. winner Splintex and a half-brother to the multiple winner and stakes performer Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel). Their dam Acquired (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a half-sister to the G2 Reisling S. winner Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Warwick Farm, Race 6, 4.20pm AEST, All Too Hard @ Vinery H., $50,000, 1300m
Aftermath (Spirit Of Boom) was a $170,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-brother to a pair of winners. Their dam Elusive Gift (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}) won twice and she is out of a three-quarter sister to the G1 Queensland Derby winner Camarena (Danehill {USA}), dam of the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. winner Camarilla (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Aftermath as a yearling
Other feature names in the pedigree are the Group 1 winners and successful sires Canny Lad and Sepoy and the Group 1 winner Bivouac (Exceed And Excel). Trained by Team Snowden, Aftermath was a winner during a light 2-year-old season and was beaten when resuming on a heavy track. A much-improved surface can see him more competitive.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2.10pm AEST, bet365 3YO BM64 H., $50,000, 1100m
Toyetic (Sebring) was a $300,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy and is a brother to the Group 2 winners Catch A Fire and Seaburge, who was also a multiple Group 1 placegetter. They are out of Polska (Encosta De Lago), a daughter of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner La Volta (Laranto), and a half-sister to the dam of the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt).
Toyetic as a yearling
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Toyetic finished runner-up on debut at Geelong last season and then produced a quality performance to go one better at Sandown. He meets a handy midweek line-up in this, but does look well above average.
