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 an impressive trial winner making her debut at Randwick and another expensive 2-year-old making her first appearance at Caulfield, where we also fancy the chances of a bright 3-year-old staying prospect.
Randwick, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Forum Group Kirkham Plate, $125,000, 1000m
Mura Mura (Not A Single Doubt) has a speedy pedigree and she displayed that in her only trial over 800 metres at Warwick Farm earlier this month. She ran the swiftest time of the 2-year-olds that morning to comfortably win her heat and now looks set to carry over that form to race day.
Mura Mura as a yearling
Offered by Arrowfield Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mura Mura was knocked down for $650,000. The filly is a half-sister to the juvenile winner Charm School (Redoute’s Choice) and they are out of Mount Zero (Northern Meteor), who was a winner and stakes placed as a 2-year-old. She is a daughter of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview winner Beauty School (Royal Academy {USA}) and the family of last season’s G1 Golden Slipper S. hero Farnan (Not A Single Doubt).
Moonee Valley, Race 2, 12.10pm AEDT, R. Listed Inglis Banner, $500,000, 1000m
Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock) was a $305,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase from the draft of Goldin Farms. The filly is a sister to the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic winner A Beautiful Mind (So You Think {NZ}).
Fastnet Rock, sire of Sneaky Five | Standing at Coolmore
Their dam Small Minds (Canny Lad) was a class act who was successful in the G1 Schweppes Oaks and the Listed Adelaide Guineas and is a half-sister to black-type winner Marwin Gold (Marwina). Sneaky Five is prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, whose stable has enjoyed great success with 2-year-olds in recent seasons, and this youngster looks to have the right profile to add to their record.
Moonee Valley, Race 6, 2.15pm AEDT, G2 Drummond Golf Vase, $300,000, 2040m
Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is shaping as a bright spring prospect for trainer Danny O’Brien following a debut victory at Geelong. He then moved up to 1800 metres in the Listed Super Impose S. and got home strongly to finish runner-up with recent G3 Norman Robinson winner Albarado (NZ) (Savabeel) filling third spot.
Young Werther (NZ) as a yearling
He looks sure to appreciate a further step up in distance and with Damien Oliver in the saddle makes strong each way appeal. A NZ$140,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase from Cambridge Stud’s draft, Young Werther is a son of Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Silver Slipper S. winner Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice) and the family of the G1 BMW S. winner Grand Zulu (Grand Lodge {USA}).
