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 Friday, Archie Alexander debuts a Toronado (Ire) colt at Benalla, a filly by Medaglia D'Oro (USA) has her first start for Kris Lees at Scone, while a last-start maiden winner steps up in class at Moonee Valley.
Benalla, Race 1, 12.10pm AEDT, Marshalls, Dent and Wilmoth Lawyers 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1206m
Reciprocation (Toronado {Ire}) makes his debut for Archie Alexander having looked very competitive when third in a recent jump-out at Burrumbeet against a host of horses with stakes form. Based off that, he should be ready to make an impression in this maiden.
Reciprocation as a yearling
At $310,000 through the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, he is the second most expensive yearling by Toronado sold in Australia. Astute Bloodstock was the purchaser. He is a half-brother to the speedy Listed winner Blondie (Reward For Effort). Their dam, Divine Princess (General Nediym), has produced five winners in all, and is a half-sister to Group 3-winning sprinter Commanding Hope (Commands).
Scone, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, Newgate Farm Showcase Mdn, $30,000, 1300m
In what looks a strong showcase maiden, False Step (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) stands out on debut here for Kris Lees. She was a $250,000 buy for Tasman Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is out of the Listed winner Impetuous (Fastnet Rock).
False Step as a yearling
Impetuous, who is out of the stakes-placed mare Rash Promise (More Than Ready {USA}), has only had one of her previous foals to the track, the winner Impetuoso (Pierro). Also on the pedigree page is Group 1 winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}), who is a half-sister to Rash Promise.
False Step has had a couple of trials headed into this race and has not been really tested in either of them, being allowed to cruise home under her own speed in finishing just behind the winners.
Moonee Valley, Race 6, 7.45pm AEDT, Sweeney Estate Agents H., $135,000, 1000m
Hot Water (Headwater), from the in-form Jason Warren and Dean Krongold stable, steps into a strong 3-year-old race off a comfortable win in a small field in a Mornington maiden last time out. Off the ease of that win, he shapes as the type of horse that can handle the rise in class at his second start.
Headwater, sire of Hot Water | Standing at Vinery Stud
He was a $125,000 for Warren at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the draft of Kulani Park. It's a pedigree page of some prominence with his dam Kinsella (Shamardal {USA}) and unraced half-sister to Group 1-winning mare Ike's Dream (King Of Kings {Ire}) and stakes-placed Miss Hurry Khan (Hurricane Sky). The third dam, Beans (Blazing Saddles), has proven an influential broodmare, with 67 individual winners boasting her in their pedigrees.
