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 chances of a million dollar colt who steps out at Warwick Farm along with the half-sister to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), while at Bendigo a Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained runner is looking to break his maiden.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, Frosted @ Darley H., $50,000, 1400m
Covent Garden (Exceed And Excel), the 3-year-old half-sister to Winx will have her second run of the spring here, after finishing fourth first-up over this course. She raced on the speed that day and her fitness seemed to get the better of her so we should see great improvement second-up.
Exceed And Excel, sire of Covent Garden | Standing at Darley
Covent Garden is the seventh foal, and third to race out of Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar {NZ}), who produced not only Winx, but also Group 3 winner El Divino (Snitzel). Vegas Showgirl is also the dam of Miss Atom Bomb (Encosta De Lago), who herself produced the stakes-performed Nuclear Blitz (Sepoy).
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Vinery Stallions Mdn, $50,000, 1100m
Another expensive colt set to step out at Warwick Farm is Osamu (Exceed And Excel) who was last seen finishing sixth of six runners in the G3 San Domenico S. at Rosehill. This will be his first start since his Kensington debut not in a stakes race so there is no doubt he will appreciate a softer opposition.
Osamu as a yearling
Purchased by Aquis Farm for $1.7 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Tyreel Stud, Osamu is the second foal to race out of G3 Typhoon Tracy S. winner Written Dash (Written Tycoon), while this is also the family of Group 1 winner Sizzling.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Bet365 Top Tote Plus Mdn, $50,000, 1100m
The Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained Fixated (Hinchinbrook) was third on debut in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview and has had four starts since but is yet to break his maiden. This will be his first start as a 3-year-old off the back of two solid jump outs at Flemington.
Fixated was purchased by miRunners Racing for $290,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Sledmere Stud and is out of G1 New Zealand S. winner Gaze (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Fixated as a yearling
