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 focus on a lightly-tried Godolphin representatives at Bet365 Geelong where we are also expecting a winning run from the family of the great Makybe Diva (Desert King {Ire}). At Lismore, a 3-year-old who finished runner-up at his latest appearance gets our seal of approval.
Bet365 Geelong, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Bet365 Top Tote Plus Plate, $23,000, 1112m
Gumnuts (Street Boss {USA}) is a half-brother to the multiple winner Marsupial (Street Cry {Ire}), who was also a black-type placegetter, with their dam Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel) successful in the Listed Cinderella S. She is a grand-daughter of the dual Group 2 winner Arletty (NZ) (Centaine) and the family of the two-time Group 1 winner and sire Xtravagant (NZ).
Street Boss (USA), sire of Gumnuts | Standing at Darley
Trained by James Cummings, Gumnuts is making a fresh start here following a brief first campaign during which he showed steady improvement to finish third at Sale at his last appearance. The 3-year-old will be ridden by John Allen and from the inside gate (barrier one) can make an impact on his return.
Bet365 Geelong, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Ritchie Bros Auctioneers H., $23,000, 1412m
Zoudini (Zoustar) has a pedigree to be proud of and is a half-brother to the dual Hong Kong Group 3 winner Jolly Banner (Lonhro), the Listed Redoute’s Choice S. winner Wales (Redoute’s Choice) and the Listed Laelia S. winner C’Est Beau La Vie (Bernardini {USA}).
Zoudini as a yearling
Their dam Valkyrie Diva (Jade Robbery {USA}) won the G3 Tesio S. and is a half-sister to the two-time Australian Horse of the Year and three-time G1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva. The 4-year-old Zoudini has been a work in progress for trainer Lindsey Smith, but showed he was worth the wait with a bold debut second at Warrnambool and looks poised to break through here.
Lismore, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Metroll Plate, $22,000, 1210m
Jett Austin (NZ) (El Roca) was well-backed in his only appearance last season, but failed to deliver on a soft track at Doomben and was spelled. He has showed the benefit of a break with a third placing when resuming at Ballina and then finished a close second at Murwillumbah with the strong suggestion he can go one better here.
El Roca, sire of Jett Austin | Standing at Westbury Stud
Prepared by Bill Healey, Jett Austin is the first representative of My Fiancee (Snitzel) and she is a sister to the G3 James HB Carr S. winner Estonian Princess and a half-sister to the G2 Sandown Guineas winner Schilling (Bianconi {USA}). There is a strong international element to the pedigree, which includes the G1 Santa Anita San Fernando S. winner Variety Road (USA) (Kennedy Road {USA}).
