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, a Freedman-trained filly from Pierro's family looks for a maiden win at Donald, where we also have a well-bred son of Not A Single Doubt on debut for Archie Alexander, while at Wyong, a colt out of a multiple Group 1 winner looks to break through for his first win.
Donald, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Weir's IGA Donald Mdn, $35,000, 1204m
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Oregon Pinot (Lonhro) was not far away in her two 2-year-old starts earlier this year, finishing fourth on both occasions when well supported. She always looked a filly capable of considerable improvement into her 3-year-old season.
Lonhro, sire of Oregon Pinot | Standing at Darley
A full sister to recent winner Zakat, she boasts a very strong pedigree being a sister-in-blood to the champion 2-year-old and now star Coolmore stallion Pierro. Their respective dams, Saddaqa (USA) (Raven's Pass {USA}) and Miss Right Note (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) are half-sisters, while multiple Group 1 winner Laverock (Ire) (Octagonal {NZ}) is another sibling.
Donald, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, TAC Be Races Ready Mdn, $35,000, 1354m
Harmony Nation (Not A Single Doubt) debuts for trainer Archie Alexander here having been an $800,000 purchase for Astute Bloodstock out of the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Harmony Nation as a yearling
He is a half-brother to Listed winner Sassy 'N' Smart (Smart Missile) as well as two other winners out of the imported mare Panorama Ridge (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}). She is a daughter of multiple Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}).
Wyong, Race 4, 2.45pm AEST, Australian Bloodstock Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Sammy (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) was close-up in both his starts as a 2-year-old and you’d expect the Kris Lees-trained colt to have taken improvement from his spell, with a couple of trials, one of which he won at Gosford, to keep him fit and ready to go.
Medaglia D'Oro (USA), sire of Sammy | Standing at Darley America
He is a homebred for Strawberry Hill Stud out of the triple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss (Redoute's Choice), who has had five winners to the track, most notably the Group 2 winner Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}). The black-type doesn't end there with Samantha Miss' sister Hurriyet having been stakes placed, while Group 1 winner Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and stakes winners Pravda (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Pravana (Anabaa {USA}) also feature on the page.
