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 take a closer look at a couple of sparingly-raced maiden contenders at Sale who performed well in their lead-up outings while at Benalla we like the chances of a well-related 3-year-old who gave a bold showing at the first time of asking.
Sale, Race 1, 1.00pm AEDT, Happy New Year 2021 Plate, $35,000, 1110m
Tax Free Prophet (Nostradamus) gave a decent account of himself on debut at Yarra Valley last month when he produced an eye-catching finish from the tail of the field for fourth. The 3-year-old will certainly be all the sharper for the experience and, if he can use a handy gate to settle closer to the pace, should be right in the firing line.
Nostradamus | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Trained by Jason Warren and Dean Krongold, Tax Free Prophet was bought out of Seco Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale for just $15,000 by John Pice Bloodstock and Grand Syndicate and that might prove a smart piece of business.
He is a half-brother to the five-time winner and Group performer Bless Her (Street Boss {USA}) and their unraced dam Blessit (Commands) is a half-sister to the G3 Mannerism S. winner Red Flair (Testa Rossa) and the Listed Hong Kong Derby Trial winner Hello Pretty (Distorted Humor {USA}).
Sale, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Laurels Function Centre Plate, $35,000, 1110m
Five Spins (Eurozone) was purchased by trainer Clinton McDonald out of Rushton Park’s draft at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $20,000 and the subsequent emergence of half-sister Tinker McPhee (Nostradamus) has made that look great shopping. She has been a winner and finished third in the G2 Sarten Memorial and fourth in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
Eurozone | Standing at Bellereve Stud
They are out of Five Rocks (Fastnet Rock), who is a half-sister to the G2 Guy Walter S. winner Alassio (Foxwedge) and the international family of the G1 Irish Oaks winner Lailani (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}). Five Spins has been lightly-raced and can show significant improvement on a resuming third at Warrnambool where he was well-backed.
Benalla, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds Plate, $23,000, 1106m
Exceed Tycoon (Exceed And Excel) was offered by Newhaven Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to Lindsay Park Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock. He is a son of the two-time Group 1 winner Viadana (NZ) (Towkay), whose only foal to race Vionetta (Not A Single Doubt) has been successful.
Exceed Tycoon as a yearling
Viadana is a half-sister to stakes winner Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and the family of the G1 William Reid S. winner and sire Hellbent. Exceed Tycoon finished third from the outside gate on debut at Werribee and from a handier barrier looks well-placed to post his maiden success.
