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 Hawkes Racing runner at his first time around Moonee Valley, while at Gosford a $500,000 yearling purchase for Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Go Bloodstock has our attention, along with a Kris Lees-trained debutante.
Moonee Valley, Race 1, 6.30pm AEDT, All-Star Mile On Sale Monday H., $50,000, 1600m
Purchased by Hawkes Racing for $360,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud, Yukon (Vancouver) is the fourth foal out of Phantom Queen (Charge Forward).
Yukon as a yearling
Out of Fridays (Timber Country {USA}), Phantom Queen is a sister to Singapore stakes winner Rush and a half-sister to G1 The Galaxy winner Sweet Idea (Snitzel) and Group 2 winner and young Arrowfield sire Showtime.
Gosford, Race 1, 3.25pm AEDT, Pluim Group BM64 H., $35,000, 900m
The Matt Vella-trained Special Date (Snitzel) was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Go Bloodstock for $500,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds and is the second foal out of placed mare Racing Nadine (Bernardini {USA}).
Special Date as a yearling
A half-sister to dual Group 1 winner He’s No Pie Easter (Canny Lad), Racing Nadine’s second dam is Show Lady (Sir Ivor), who herself is a half-sister to blue hen mare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad), the dam of champion sire Redoute’s Choice and Group 1 winners Platinum Scissors and Manhattan Rain.
Gosford, Race 3, 4.40pm AEDT, Gosford It Provincial & Country Maiden H., $35,000, 1200m
Making her debut for Kris Lees, Ciccina (NZ) (Savabeel) was a NZ$300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from the draft of Waikato Stud and is the third foal out of unraced mare Baby Shacks (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Savabeel, sire of Ciccina (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
Baby Shacks is a sister to G2 Makybe Diva S. winner Vigor (NZ) and multiple stakes winner Joey Massino (NZ) and a half-sister to R. Listed Karaka Million winner Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuses Needed {GB}).
