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 are pressing the claims at Grafton of a maiden contender from the family of High Chaparral (Ire) and a filly who also has close-up Group 1 form in her pedigree to back her claims. At Stony Creek, we like the chances of a grand-daughter of two-time top-flight winner Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}).
Grafton, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Blues, Brews & Barbeques H., $22,000, 1000m
Marshall Dillon (Shooting To Win) is raced by breeder Glenlogan Park after he was passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for him to open his account. He was placed in all three outings in his initial preparation, including one on this course, and a trial win last month will have him ready to make an impression.
Marshall Dillon as a yearling
Prepared by Matthew Dunn, Marshall Dillon is a half-brother to winner and Listed Dalrello S. runner-up Thief Of Hearts (Show A Heart) with their dam Casilda (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). She was a multiple winner and Group 3-placed and is out of a half-sister to the five-time Group 1 winner and champion sire High Chaparral (Ire), whose brother Black Bear Island (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) won the G2 Dante S.
Grafton, Race 7, 4.50pm AEDT, Blues, Brews & Barbeques 14 March, $22,000, 1200m
Lasting Kiss (Real Impact {Jpn}) has made a bright start to her career and was a debut second before she returned to Ballina to go one better in the hands of Jake Bayliss, who retains the ride. The 3-year-old certainly looks open to further improvement and can go close from the inside gate.
Lasting Kiss as a yearling
The Arrowfield Stud-bred filly landed at Stephen Lee’s after she failed to make her reserve at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is a daughter of the Fastnet Rock mare Pouting. She is out of the French S. winner Kissing The Camera (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to the dam of the dual Group 1 winner Wigmore Hall (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the black-type winners Lady Liberty (Ire) (Shirocco {Ger}) and Miss Sugars (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}).
Stony Creek, Race 5, 3.30pm AEDT, JW Refrigeration & Airconditioning 3YO, $23,000, 1100m
Faithless (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) has improved with each outing this preparation and at her most recent appearance boxed on well for fourth at Mornington. She doesn’t meet an overly strong lineup here and from the inside alley will get every opportunity to post the first winning strike of her career.
Faithless (NZ) as a yearling
Trained by Kevin Corstens, the Qatar Bloodstock-bred Faithless was a NZ$20,000 buy for Pine Lodge and Corstens at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale where she was offered by Windsor Park Stud. That may prove to be a bargain as she is out of the five-time winner Clemency (Redoute’s Choice), a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), also the dam of the G1 George Ryder S. winner Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock).
