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 are concentrating our efforts on the Cranbourne meeting where we are expecting bold performances from a trio of lightly-tried maidens who have the pedigree pages to instil further confidence in their prospects.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Claire Cook 3YO Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for NZ$140,000 and is a son of the former quality race mare Annie Higgins (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). She won six races, including a race at Group 3 level and was a multiple Group 2 placegetter. She is a grand-daughter of Tri Belle (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), successful in four Group 2 events.
Savannah Cloud (NZ) as a yearling
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Savannah Cloud showed he had inherited a good degree of the family ability with placings at both of his 2-year-old starts. He was third at Caulfield on debut behind multiple winner Saltpeter (Pierro) and then runner-up to two-time winner Sense Of Honour (Pride Of Dubai) at Flemington. Those form lines deserve respect in this.
Cranbourne, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Scott Dale Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Canadian Rockies (Vancouver) looked an early winner when he boxed on well to finish fourth on debut at Mornington over 1200 metres. He will certainly be improved for that experience and the extra distance also looks to be in his favour.
Canadian Rockies as a yearling
Prepared by Grahame Begg, Canadian Rockies is a half-brother to a pair of winners and their dam Red Dress Marley (Hussonet {USA}) won two races and was runner-up in the Listed Debutant S. She is a half-sister to the G1 Lightning S., winner Snitzerland (Snitzel), dam of the G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Hard Landing (All Too Hard), and the G3 Aurie’s Star H. winner and Kitchwin Hills sire Sooboog.
Cranbourne, Race 4, 2.35pm AEST, David Dodson Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Hummalong (Hallowed Crown) was a $100,000 buy at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and is a half-sister to the gifted Humma Humma (Denman), winner of the G3 Proud Miss S. and twice at Listed level. Their dam Humma Mumma (Bel Esprit) was successful on four occasions and is a half-sister to the stakes winners Latin Quarter (Danehill {USA}) and Elected (Bletchingly).
Hummalong as a yearling
From the stable of John McArdle, Hummalong will make a fresh start here and has yet to finish out of the money in her brief career. Two of those placings came over this course and distance and while she has a tricky draw, the experience of rider Jamie Mott should counter that and a first-up victory beckons.
