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 focussing on the Kyneton meeting where we like the chances of a well-related 3-year-old on debut, a filly who gave a strong account of herself at her lead-up start and a colt whose up-front pedigree features the champion sire Fastnet Rock.
Bet365 Kyneton, Race 1, 1pm AEST, bet365 Top Tote Plus Plate, $35,000, 1212m
Crown Of Melbourne (Snitzel) looms as a serious winning hope on debut for the successful partnership of Lindsay Park and jockey Daniel Stackhouse. The well-bred colt has a handy barrier and a strong pedigree to back his claims at the first time of asking.
Crown Of Melbourne as a yearling
He was bought out of Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ draft for $170,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is a son of the unraced Starcraft (NZ) mare Star Of Sydney, who is a half-sister to the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. winner and sire Invader and the G2 Jockey Club Sprint winner Not Listenin’tome (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Their dam Flame Of Sydney (Encosta De Lago) won the Listed Desirable S. and was a multiple Group placegetter.
Bet365 Kyneton, Race 4, 2.45pm AEST, bet365 Bet Odds Drift Protector Plate, $35,000, 1469m
Lady Kermadec (Kermadec {NZ}) was unplaced on debut and showed the benefit of that race day experience at Wodonga where she sat on the pace and boxed on strongly to finish runner-up. Lachlan King takes the reins again and from a handy barrier they look a top combination.
Kermadec (NZ), sire of Lady Kermadec | Standing at Darley
The filly is a half-sister to Shalmaneser (Teofilo {Ire}), who was successful on six occasions and was twice placed at Group 3 level. They are out of the unraced Lady Nikolay (Stravinsky {USA}) and she is a daughter of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Arboretum (Woodman {USA}).
Bet365 Kyneton, Race 5, 3.20pm AEST, Iron Jack Plate, $35,000, 1875m
A $150,000 purchase at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he was offered by Glastonbury Farms, Rousseau (So You Think {NZ}) has been around the mark in all of his starts and was a close fifth when last seen at Geelong. The Chris Waller-trained colt has drawn well and gives the impression he will appreciate this step up in trip.
Rousseau as a yearling
Rousseau is out of Solar Rock (Encosta De Lago), who won two races, and she is a daughter of Cirque De Soleil (USA) who is a stakes-performed sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Fastnet Rock. It is also the family of the Listed Singapore Derby winner Sun Marshal (Sepoy).
