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 debut chances of a 3-year-old at Moree and at Geelong we are expecting winning runs from a relative of the great Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and a $1.7 million yearling purchase.
Moree, Race 3, 1.55pm AEST, KMH Electrical & Stephen Sparke Jewellers H., $22,000, 950m
Casino Lord (Casino Prince) is a half-brother to two winners, including Rhaegar (Pluck {USA}), who was successful in the Listed Auckland Futurity S. Their dam Grand Lady (Grandera {Ire}) won three times up to 1100 metres and is a half-sister to the G1 Australian Oaks and G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Rena’s Lady (Arena).
Casino Prince, sire of Casino Lord | Standing at Vinery Stud
Her sister Raise also won an edition of the Adrian Knox and a half-brother Vatuvei (Reset) won the G2 Drake International Cup. Casino Lord is trained by Cody Morgan and placed in his latest trial. He was ridden by Casey Waddell and she will again partner the 3-year-old, who will benefit from her 3kg claim.
bet365 Geelong, Race 1, 12.55pm AEST, Bet365 Top Tote Plate, $35,000, 1500m
Zoist (Zoustar) was a $280,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a half-brother to a pair of multiple winners. They are out of Hoist (Zeditave), the winner of eight races, and she is out of a three-quarter sister to the two-time Australian Horse of the Year Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Zoustar, sire of Zoist | Standing at Widden Stud
From Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s stable, Zoist made his debut at Bendigo last month and made ground well over 1400 metres to finish third. He looks likely to appreciate the extra trip here and from an inside gate makes strong appeal.
bet365 Geelong, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Shopmylocal.com.au Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Kazuhiko (Deep Impact {Jpn}) came with a hefty price tag as he was bought for $1.7 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is a son of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Grito, who is a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Yell (Anabaa {USA}).
Kazuhiko as a yearling
His sister Sung was a black-type winner and the dam of the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. winner and young sire Microphone. It’s also the family of the G1 Canterbury S. winner Holler. Kazuhiko is trained by Lloyd Kennewell and gave a strong account of himself when runner-up on debut in the G3 National S. and the colt has a gilt-edged opportunity to open his account in this.
