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’re keen on the chances of a well-related Kris Lees-trained debutante at Taree where we also fancy the prospects of her lightly-tried stablemate. At Sale, we are in the corner of an improving filly who looks to have a winning sense of timing about her.
Taree, Race 1, 1.10 AEDT, tab.com.au Plate, $22,000, 1300m
Bondi Bikini (Snitzel) has been given a thorough grounding at the trials with five outings over a couple of preparations. The filly finished runner-up at Newcastle in her latest appearance and also has the pedigree to instil confidence in her first-up prospects.
Snitzel, sire of Bondi Bikini | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Prepared by Kris Lees, Bondi Bikini is a sister to the winner and G1 Champagne S. runner-up Bondi and they are out of Bondi Blonde (Red Ransom {USA}). She is a half-sister to the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. winner and sire Danroad and to the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Strawberry Boy (Redoute’s Choice).
Taree, Race 4, 2.55pm AEDT, NPC Electrical Heat Of The Rising Star H., $22,000, 1250m
Lees also looks to have a top prospect in this with No Laughing Matter (Exosphere), who has hardly put a foot wrong in a brief career. She was a 2-year-old winner last preparation and opened her current campaign with a strong showing for second at Newcastle and can go one better from a perfect barrier.
No Laughing Matter as a yearling
Laughing Matter was purchased out of Moobi Farm’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $38,000 by Australian Bloodstock. She has an interesting pedigree and is a daughter of the winning Distorted Humor (USA) mare Laughing who is a half-sister to the Champion Panamian filly Outskirt Lady (USA) (Purge {USA}). Their dam is a half-sister to the dual North American Group 1 winner Better Lucky (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) and the G3 Woodbine Marine S. winner Sahara Heat (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}).
Sale, Race 2, 1.55pm AEDT, Sanlam Private Wealth 3YO Plate, $35,000, 1006m
Queen Ryker (Exceed And Excel) was offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Marquee Stud and purchased for $125,000. She is a sister to the winner and G2 Roman Consul S. runner-up Knight Templar and to the multiple Listed placegetter Luqyaa. They are out of the G3 Tatt’s Winter S. winner Charmview (Royal Academy {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the Listed Santa Anita Reb’s Policy H. winner Grandiser (Dehere {USA}) and the family of the G1 South Australian Derby winner Shiva’s Revenge (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}).
Queen Ryker as a yearling
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Queen Ryker was placed as a juvenile before she was given a break. The filly showed improvement on a resuming sixth to finish third at Yarra Valley and third-up in the hands of Michael Poy should be a serious contender.
