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 Thursday, Anthony and Sam Freedman step out a well-bred daughter of Dundeel (NZ) at Mornington, where Danny O'Brien debuts a daughter of Mongolian Khan, while at Hawkesbury, a recent impressive trial winner looks to break her maiden for Mark Newnham.
Mornington, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Musk Creek Farm Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
In a race with a few well-bred debutants, Lankan Gold (Dundeel {NZ}) stands out as a filly who could make strong progress this preparation. A $500,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale buy for Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Jonathan Munz's Pinecliff Racing, she is a half-sister to Manhattan Street (Manhattan Rain), who won on debut and won at stakes level at her second start.
Lankan Gold as a yearling
Their dam, Charming Estelle (Redoute's Choice), is a sister to champion sprinter Lankan Rupee from a terrific family which includes the Group 1 winner and successful stallion Grosvenor (NZ) as well as Shadea (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}), the dam of the great Lonhro. Lankan Gold worked home nicely in her most recent jump-out and should be ready to make some sort of impression at her first start.
Mornington, Race 4, 3pm AEST, R U OK? #stayconnected Plate, $35,000, 1500m
Breeze 'N' Luna (NZ) is just the third starter in Australia by G1 ATC Derby and Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan and off her recent jump-out form, shapes as a very interesting prospect for trainer Danny O'Brien. She was impressive when shaded by Group quality horse Aysar (Deep Field) at her latest hitout.
Mongolian Khan, sire of Breeze 'N' Luna (NZ) | Standing at Windsor Park Stud
Purchased from $80,000 at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale last year, she is out of good New Zealand family which contains horses such as stakes winners County Court (NZ) (Woodborough {USA}), Likes To Rule (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}), Royal Show (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}), Folding Gear (NZ) (Johar {USA}) and Royal Success (NZ) (Savabeel). Danny O'Brien has a strong record of progressing these New Zealand-bred fillies through the spring and last year elevated Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) from a Bendigo maiden to win a G1 VRC Oaks.
Hawkesbury, Race 4, 3.25pm AEST, Friday's on The Terrace Mdn, $35,000, 1100m
Invincible Ninja (I Am Invincible) has been to the races just once, finishing fifth in a strong maiden at Newcastle, but her trial form suggests the Mark Newnham-trained mare won’t be long breaking her maiden this time in.
I Am Invincible, sire of Invincible Ninja | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
She has won her two trials at Randwick this time in, the latest quite emphatically, and this looks an ideal chance for her to get the ball rolling. Bred by Pedrille Thoroughbreds and racing in similar colours as her Yarraman Park-based sire, she is out of multiple winner Ladyinxs (Stratum), the half-sister to stakes-placed Age Of Heroes (Grandera {Ire}), who has already produced the winner Vinci Lady (I Am Invincible).
