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 Tuesday, we start out at Grafton, where a recent impressive trial winner has his first start under new trainer Edward O'Rourke, and then head to Swan Hill, where Henry Dwyer has a possible Oaks prospect looking to break her maiden, and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are looking for another win from a recent acquisition.
Grafton, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Happy Birthday Darcy Everingham Mdn, $22,000, 1115m
Wave Maker (Dissident) showed a bit in his first preparation, finishing third at the Sunshine Coast at his second run back in April before being sent for a spell. He makes his first appearance here for his new trainer, Edward O'Rourke off a recent very impressive trial win, where he streeted clear by 9l.
Wave Maker as a yearling
He was a $150,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Blue Sky Bloodstock from the draft of Widden Stud. His dam, Depasse (Exceed And Excel) has produced two winners, Du To Pass (Duporth) and Horowitz (Written Tycoon) and is from the extended family of Group 2 winner Reflected Image (Bluebird {USA}) and her G1 Kingston Town Classic winning daughter Perfect Reflection (More Than Ready {USA}).
Swan Hill, Race 5, 3pm AEST, Bet365 Odds Drift Protector Mdn, $23,000, 1600m
Heleva Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) was not too far away on debut at Geelong back in August and progressed on the Ballarat Synthetic track to be beaten just 1.3l over 1400 metres. She steps to the 1600 metres third-up and should improve again, with connections thinking enough of her to enter her in the G1 VRC Oaks in November.
Heleva Deel as a yearling
A $140,000 purchase at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, she is a half-sister to Listed winner Sparta (Beneteau) out of Helena Girl (Commands). The extended family includes Listed winner Fiveoclockshadow (Langfuhr {Can}) and Group 1 winner Island Morn (Marooned {GB}).
Swan Hill, Race 9, 5pm AEST, Bet365 Top Tote BM58 H., $22,000, 1300m
Enduring Love (Camelot {GB}) may have won just two of her 19 starts but has looked in good form since joining the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable this preparation. The 5-year-old impressed on the wet track at her first Australian start at Warrnambool and while she was beaten last time out at Moe, the form from that race has held up well since.
Enduring Love as a yearling
Originally a NZ$250,000 yearling buy for David Ellis, she was purchased for NZ$34,000 as a broodmare prospect through Gavelhouse in March. She is out of Listed winner Holy Moly (NZ) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the half-sister to stakes winner Indarra (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
