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 Thursday, a close relative of Group 1 winner Sizzling looks to break her maiden at Port Macquarie, while at Pakenham, a 3-year-old with an international pedigree makes a first appearance for Peter Moody, and an Ocean Park (NZ) gelding steps out for Chris waller.
Port Macquarie, Race 6, 4.15pm AEDT, South West Rocks Pro Shop Mdn, $22,000, 1200m
Free Dawn (Snitzel), a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Sizzling, debuted for Kris Lees a couple of weeks ago at Gosford, finishing third, beaten only 1.4l. She steps to the 1200 metres here, which as well as getting back on top of the ground, should prove suitable.
Free Dawn as a yearling
A $240,000 purchase out of the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for Tasman Bloodstock, she was bred by GSA Bloodstock and sold by Rosemont Stud. Her dam, Trafalgar Miss (War Pass {USA}), is a half-sister to Sizzling and has already produced a winner in Bonaparte (Pierro). There are several other black-type winners on her pedigree page, including the Group 1 winner and now Bowness Stud sire D'Argento.
Pakenham, Race 4, 7pm AEDT, Austrim Civil Mdn, $35,000, 1600m
The Spaniard (Fastnet Rock) makes his stable debut for Peter Moody having had one start for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace when fifth in a 2-year-old race at Sandown last April. After looking good at a couple of jump-outs, he kicks things off at 1600 metres this campaign, indicating Moody has designs on him getting over a staying distance this campaign.
The Spaniard as a yearling
He is certainly bred to indicate that, being a half-brother to a Group 3 winner in Italy over 2000 metres, with his grandam, Pharatta (Ire) (Fairy King {USA}) a multiple Group 2 winner over a mile. She is also the grandam of G1 Prix D'Ispahan and Prix du Moulin winner Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper {USA}). The Spaniard was a $400,000 purchase for Peter Morgan at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pakenham, Race 5, 7.30pm AEDT, Ontoit Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Loveplanet (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is on debut here for Chris Waller and based on his recent jump-out win at Flemington, where he tracked wide and swept home to win untouched, won't be too long breaking his maiden.
Ocean Park (NZ), sire of Loveplanet (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
He was a NZ$140,000 buy for Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale out of the draft of Monovale Farm. He is out of Venus's Dream (Viscount), a two-time winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Spring Heat (More Than Ready {USA}), from the family of stakes winners Katima (Zeditave), Deferential (Royal Academy {USA}) and Eusebio (Benfica).
