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 black type prospects at Rosehill of two highly-promising 3-year-olds while, at the Kembla Grange meeting we’re in the corner of a filly with trial performances to suggest she will be hard to beat in her first run back from a break.
Rosehill, Race 4, 2.15pm AEST, G3 Precise Air Gloaming S., $200,000, 1800m
Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) has made an excellent impression during a short career and now looks more than capable of holding his own in a higher grade. He led all the way to win with ease at Kembla Grange last time out and has a pedigree to suggest the NZ$65,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale graduate will cope admirably over more ground.
Lion's Roar (NZ) as a yearling
Trained by John O’Shea, Lion’s Roar is a son of Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}), who won four times up to 1800 metres and is a half-sister to the G3 Tibbie H. winner and G1 Queensland Oaks runner-up Vaquera (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Their dam The Mighty Lions (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) won the G1 Avondale Gold Cup.
Rosehill, Race 5, 2.50pm AEST, Listed Schweppes Heritage S., $140,000, 1100m
Wild Ruler (Snitzel) created a strong impression last season with a debut victory and a placing in the G2 Champagne Classic behind Rothfire (Rothesay). Since a break, he has won and finished runner-up at the trials and a bold first-up showing is expected from a handy gate.
Wild Ruler as a yearling
Purchased for $525,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Ruler is a half-brother to two winners and their dam Gypsy Robin (USA) (Daaher {USA}) was successful twice at Group 2 level and finished second in the G1 Test S. She is a half-sister to the stakes winner Tiger Cat Lilly (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 3.14pm AEST, Windang H., $35,000, 1400m
Xylaroo (I Am Invincible) was a $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy and is a daughter of the multiple winner Coco Kerringle (Exceed And Excel). Five of her six foals to race have been successful and she is a half-sister to the G1 Vinery Stud S. winner Mirjulisa Lass (NZ) (Danasinga) and the family of the G2 QTC Cup winner Pembleton (Marauding {NZ}).
Xylaroo as a yearling
Prepared by Chris Waller, Xylaroo placed during a light juvenile preparation before a spell and looks to have benefitted from that break. She has been prominent in both of her trial outings and with a touch of luck from a tricky gate the 3-year-old can produce a strong resuming performance.
