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 like the chances of a pair of 3-year-olds resuming and both have been prominent in lead-up trials while at Ladbrokes Park we believe a filly, also returning from a break, can give a bold first-up sight.
Gosford, Race 1, 2pm AEDT, Bishop Collins Chartered Accountants Plate., $35,000, 1200m
Correlate (Not A Single Doubt) gave a good account of herself on debut last season when runner-up on a firm surface and was then turned out after two unplaced runs on wet tracks. The Mark Newnham-trained filly has been a trial winner and placegetter since returning from a break to emphasise her readiness for a bold first-up showing.
Correlate as a yearling
A $180,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Sandra Harding from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, Correlate is a half-sister to the winner Reloaded (Snitzel), who has also placed twice at Group 1 level. Their dam is the former top-class performer Hollow Bullet (Tayasu Tsuyoshi {Jpn}), winner of the G1 VRC Oaks and the G1 Arrowfield Stud S. She is a half-sister to the G3 SAJC Breeders’ S. winner Last Bullet (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Gosford, Race 2, 2.35pm AEDT, Sidcon Construction’s Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Free State (Headwater) was passed in at the Gold Coast, where he was offered by Amarina Farm with a $50,000 reserve, and he is a son of Johanski (Johannesburg {USA}), who won twice up to 1100 metres and was black type-placed. She is out of a three-quarter sister to the dual Group 1 winner Alcove (El Qahira {NZ}) and the G3 Swettenham Stud S. winner Viminaria.
Free State as a yearling
Prepared by Brad Widdup, Free State was placed in both of his starts during a winter preparation and following a spell he has produced two sound trials. The 3-year-old was partnered in both of them by Koby Jennings, who retains the ride and they appeal as a combination to follow.
Ladbrokes Park, Race 5, 5.40pm AEDT, The Big Screen Company H., $50,000, 1400m
Mystique Falcon (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) was a 2-year-old winner during her first preparation and closed out her campaign with an unplaced run in the Listed Gibson Carmichael S. She finished 5l off the winner Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a subsequent Group 2 winner, so it’s a decent form line for a race like this.
Mystique Falcon (NZ) as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the filly was offered by breeder Inglewood Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and was bought for NZ$220,000 by Maher and Eales Racing. A half-brother to the Listed Southland Guineas winner Replique (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Mystique Falcon is a grand-daughter of the G1 New Zealand S. winner Seamist (NZ) (Beaufort Sea {USA}).
