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 focussed on Cup Day at Flemington where we like an expensive youngster on debut, an in-form filly from a potent North American family and a colt who should appreciate a drop back in class.
Flemington, Race 1, 10.45am AEDT, G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $200,000, 1000m
Marine One (Capitalist) was purchased out of Newgate’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $500,000 by trainer Lloyd Kennewell and Group 1 Bloodstock. He is a son of Golconda (Snitzel), who was successful in the Listed Merson Cooper S. and finished third in the G1 VRC Oaks.
Marine One as a yearling
She is a half-sister to the Listed Cranbourne Cup winner Sermon (Octagonal {NZ}) with their dam the G2 Kewney S. winner and G1 Australian Oaks runner-up Eureka Jewel (Semipalatinsk {USA}) and also the family of the G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Spurred On (Flying Spur). Marine One has the pedigree to suggest he can make an impact on debut with Mark Zahra to partner the colt.
Flemington, Race 2, 11.20am AEDT, Listed World Horse Racing Desirable S., $175,000, 1400m
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Violinist (Fastnet Rock) produced two strong performances last term when a debut fourth in the G3 Breeders’ S. and second in the G3 SA Sires’ Produce S. She made her seasonal return at Mornington with a breakthrough victory and looks a progressive filly who can step up to the mark here.
Violinist as a yearling
Offered by Coolmore at the Gold Coast, Violinist was bought by McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $360,000 and is out of the stakes performer Keep On Singing (USA) (Hennessy {USA}), a grand-daughter of the G1 Hollywood Oaks winner Pattern Step (USA) (Nureyev {USA}). This is a well-performed North American family that also features the G1 Canadian International S. winner Bullards Alley (USA) (Flower Alley {USA}).
Flemington, Race 3, 12pm AEDT, Schweppervescence Plate, $135,000, 1000m
Hard Landing (All Too Hard) can mix his form, but has showed an abundance of talent with two victories from a handful of starts and this is a major step back in class for him. Successful in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on debut 12 months ago and a first-up winner this term, his most recent outings have been in Group company so he looks well-placed here to further his record.
Hard Landing as a yearling
He was a $280,000 buy for Lindsay Park and Andrew Williams Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast where he was sold by Vinery Stud and is a son of the G1 Lightning S. winner Snitzerland (Snitzel), who also won twice at Group 2 level. She is a half-sister to the G3 Aurie’s Star winner and Kitchwin Hills' sire Sooboog and they are out of an unraced sister to the G3 Adelaide Guineas winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Nina Haraka (Fraar {USA}).
