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 believe an in-form 3-year-old can break through at Bet365 Park Kyneton where we also like a well-related filly on debut. At Goulburn, we focus on another 3-year-old who is racing well and poised to double his winning tally.
Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 2, 1pm AEDT, Cams Security 3YO Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Kiani (Headwater) has been placed in all three of her runs, including consecutive runner-up finishes, and against a modest line-up she has a golden chance to post the first winning strike of her career. John Allen will ride the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly, who also has the benefit of an inside gate.
Headwater, sire of Kiani | Standing at Vinery Stud
Maher purchased Kiani out of Carramar Park’s draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $100,000 and is a half-sister to the multiple winner Intense Focus (Mossman). Their dam Brilliant Snitzel (Snitzel) was successful as a 2-year-old and is a half-sister to the dual stakes winner Made Of Diamonds (Made Of Gold {USA}), who also produced Listed winner Untamed Diamond (Snitzel).
Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 3, 1.35pm AEDT, Furphy Lager Plate, $35,000, 1100m
The Danny O’Brien-trained Sugartown (Shamus Award) hasn’t been to any official trials, but plenty of confidence can be drawn from the filly’s pedigree. She is a half-sister to the G2 Caulfield Sprint and G1 Golden Rose S. placegetter Graff (Star Witness) and to his sister Steel Diamond, a multiple winner and black-type performer.
Shamus Award, sire of Sugartown | Standing at Rosemont Stud
They are out of the G3 Jansz S. winner Dinkum Diamond (Keep The Faith) and she is a half-sister to the two-time Group 3 winner Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and their dam is the G3 Dermody S. winner Raja Lane (Devaraja {NZ}).
Goulburn, Race 4, 3.10pm AEDT, Goulburn Soldiers’ Club H., $30,000, 1400m
General Dubai (Pride Of Dubai) has come back well from a break and followed a first-up third with success at Newcastle under Rory Hutchings, who takes the ride again. He was then a sound third behind the talented Perfect Radiance (Snitzel) and the move up to 1400 metres should be ideal for the gelding.
Pride Of Dubai, sire of General Dubai | Standing at Coolmore
Prepared at Randwick by Peter Robl, General Dubai is a half-brother to the G2 Tea Rose S. winner Longport (Casino Prince), who was also runner up at Group 1 level in the Flight S. and Vinery Stud S., and to the Listed AJC Breeders’ Plate winner Run For Wilson (Shamardal {USA}). They are out of Ocean Bridge (Dolphin Street {Fr}), who won three races, and the family of the G3 Devon Park Stud S. winner Fuss (At Talaq {USA}).
