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 focussing on the Warrnambool meeting where we are in the camp of a pair of lightly-raced maiden contenders and a last-start winner who is from the family of the former Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler (Hussonet {USA}).
Warrnambool, Race 1, 12.40pm AEDT, Harry Bell Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Swift Sure (Vancouver) presents as a strong chance to kick the day off on a winning note following the 3-year-old’s bold showing for a debut second over this course and distance. That experience will stand him in good stead as he strives to go one better for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Swift Sure as a yearling
Price purchased Swift Sure for $55,000 out of Laceby Lodge Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO in Training Sale after he had originally changed hands as a yearling for $160,000. He is the first runner for Berrimilla (Fastnet Rock), who was successful six times, and she is out of a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), who has produced the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup winner Richie McHorse (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).
Warrnambool, Race 2, 1.15pm AEDT, Michael Shanahan Plate $35,000, 1200m
Orchestrate (Fighting Sun) placed in her first two runs last preparation on good tracks and was turned out after an unplaced effort on soft ground. She will appreciate a decent surface here and from a handy draw is more than capable of a bold showing.
Orchestrate as a yearling
She is trained by Mitchell Freedman who went to $95,000 to secure Orchestrate out of Kedarona Stud’s draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. The mare is a daughter of the unraced Symphony Strings (Excellent Art {GB}), a half-sister to the Hong Kong stakes winner Rich Unicorn (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The pedigree also features the former champion 2-year-old and G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Burst (Marauding {NZ}).
Warrnambool, Race 4, 2.25pm AEDT, Cassign Harry Chauvel H., $35,000, 2000m
The lightly-tried Nobel Heights (Fiorente {Ire}) has already hinted at a bright middle distance future with a breakthrough win at his second start over 1700 metres on this course. He is taking a step up in class, but it’s not an overly strong field and looks worthy of support with Jordan Childs in the saddle.
Nobel Heights as a yearling
Prepared by Matt Cumani, Nobel Heights is a half-brother to six winners, including the stakes performer At The Weekend (Hussonet {USA}). Their dam Free Friday (Helissio {Fr}) is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Phantom Thief (Jade Robbery {USA}) and Saturday Fever (Groom Dancer {USA}) and they are out of the G3 Angus Armanasco S. winner Not On Friday (At Talaq {USA}). The headline act in the pedigree is the former Australian Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Weekend Hussler.
