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 at Rosehill of a sister to a Group 2 winner and a lightly-tried galloper who has already made his made at stakes level. At Newcastle, we’re in the corner of 3-year-old who has the crack sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) close up in his pedigree.
Rosehill, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Schweppes H., $125,000, 1300m
Kiku (Zoustar) is from a strong family and has showed she has inherited a good measure of ability with placings in both of her starts last preparation. She was runner-up when resuming off a break and then produced a dominant performance from a wide gate to win on this course last month and looks capable of a repeat with James McDonald in the saddle again.
Kiku as a yearling
Offered by Amarina Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kiku was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $300,000. The Chris Waller-trained filly is a sister to the multiple Group 2 winner and G1 Oakleigh Plate runner-up Zoutori and they are out of the unraced Atotori (Haradasun). She is a half-sister to the G3 Kenilworth Winter Guineas winner Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt).
Rosehill, Race 2, 1.45pm AEDT, Precise Air H., $125,000, 1500m
Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) is a promising colt who was successful on debut for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou and following a runner-up finish he ran third in the G3 Spring S. at Newcastle. He’s up against older opposition, but will enjoy a handy pull in the weights and appeals as a top prospect.
Ellsberg as a yearling
Bred by Hillside Downs, Ellsberg was a $50,000 Gold Coast weanling purchase for Segenhoe and then bought as a yearling when re-offered at the same venue by Ryan for $280,000. He is out of the three-time winner Love Of Liberty (General Nediym) and she is a sister to Electric General, successful in the G3 Colonel Reeves S. Also featuring on this pedigree page is the dual Group 1 winner Coco Cabanna (NZ) (Casual Lies {NZ}).
Newcastle, Race 1, 12.54pm AEDT, Newcastle Stevedores H., $35,000, 900m
Britain (Snitzel) was a winner over this course and distance last season during a light 2-year-old preparation before a spell. He was a trial winner at Warwick Farm on his return and then resumed at Warwick Farm where the chestnut made the running before weakening late in the piece and is sure to have improved with the outing.
Britain as a yearling
Trained by Greg Hickman, Britain failed to meet his $300,000 reserve at the Gold Coast where he was offered by Berkeley Park Stud. He is a son of the G3 SAJC Breeders’ S. winner London Lolly (Charge Forward), who is a half-sister to the outstanding multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) with their dam the two-time top-flight winner Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter).
