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 concentrate our efforts on the Sale meeting where we fancy the chances of a trio of lightly-tried maiden contenders with the pedigrees to back their prospects.
Sale, Race 1, 12.30pm AEDT, TAC Be Races Ready Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Sly Corner (NZ) (Savabeel) was the subject of heavy support in his first appearance at Echuca where he raced on the pace and fought on willingly in the run home to finish second. That will have served to sharpen him up and the 3-year-old looks a top chance to go one better.
Savabeel, sire of Sly Corner (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
He is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and was a NZ$190,000 purchase out of Waikato Stud’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is a son of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Diana Dors (NZ), who is a sister to the Group 2 winners Joey Massino (NZ) and Vigor (NZ) and a half-sister to the multiple stakes winner Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).
Sale, Race 2, 1pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Plate, $35,000, 1400m
The Chris Waller-trained Austrata (Ire) (Australia {GB}) turned in sound performances in both of his appearances last campaign, finishing fourth on both occasions. Northern Hemisphere-bred horses often return much better after an initial preparation and the 4-year-old should be ideally-suited by this trip from an inside gate.
Austrata was a 100,000 gns (AU$190,500) buy at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and is a son of two-time winner Caserta (GB) (Dansili {GB}). She is a half-sister to the black-type winner Destruct (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) with their dam the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly winner Daring Miss (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).
Sale, Race 3, 1.35pm AEDT, Wynne’s Coaches Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Hasseltoff (Toorak Toff) is the first representative to race for Hoop (Flying Spur), who was successful on one occasion and is a half-sister to the black-type winner Sacred Hustler (Hussonet {USA}). Their dam Hula Here (Dehere {USA}) is an unraced sister to Listed winner Willy Jimmy and a half-sister to the G3 Wenona Girl H. winner Sugar Bella (Not A Single Doubt).
Toorak Toff, sire of Hasseltoff | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Prepared by Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, Hasseltoff finished runner-up in each of his first three appearances and was then put aside after he was unplaced in a competitive VOBIS Sires’ Guineas line-up at Caulfield. He faces a much easier assignment on his return and even a tricky gate might not be enough to stop him breaking his maiden.
