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 two expensive yearlings racing at Cranbourne while at Hawkesbury we're in the corner of a Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Snitzel filly.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 12.40pm AEDT, Dirt Rock Civil H., $50,000, 1400m
Pioneer River (Snitzel) was purchased by Sun Bloodstock for $1.1 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Sledmere Stud and is out of Ocean Of Tears (NZ) (Minardi {USA}), making him a half-brother to Group 3 winner No More Tears (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Pioneer River as a yearling
Ocean Of Tears herself is a half-sister to stakes winner Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) who is responsible for stakes winners Ennis Hill (Fastnet Rock) and Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock). Further back, this is also the family of G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner Splintex (Snitzel).
Cranbourne, Race 7, 4.15pm AEDT, De Bortoli Wines H., $50,000, 1400m
Last year’s G1 Caulfield Guineas third Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) was purchased by Anthony Freedman Racing for $2.3 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Arrowfield draft and is out of The Broken Shore (Hussonet {USA}), making him a brother to multiple Group 1 winner Shoals.
Groundswell as a yearling
His second dam is the blue hen mare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad), who is responsible for champion sire Redoute’s Choice as well as Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors and Sliding Cube (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), the dam of Coolmore stallion Rubick.
Hawkesbury, Race 7, 4.55pm AEDT, Lander Toyota Ladies Day Maiden, $35,000, 1300m
So Far Away (Snitzel) was bought by Yulong for $400,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from Arrowfield and he is out of American stakes winner and Grade 1 performer Tara From The Cape (USA) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}).
So Far Away as a yearling
Tara From The Cape is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner and G1 Santa Anita Derby third Royal Mo (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), while this is also the family of multiple stakes winner Irish Linnet (USA) (Seattle Song {USA}).
