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 at Warwick Farm of an expensive colt resuming and a 3-year-old who we expect to go one better on a debut second. At Ladbrokes Park, we are tipping a first-up winner to further his unbeaten record.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 2.20pm AEDT, Stud & Stable Staff Awards Plate, $50,000, 1300m
Head Of State (American Pharoah {USA}) produced a tidy debut performance when fifth in The Golden Gift. He went back from the outside barrier and made ground solidly and, following a break, has had two trials to ready him for his return.
Head Of State as a yearling
The colt was purchased out of Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Tom Magnier for $850,000. He is a half-brother to the G2 Hobartville S. winner Man From Uncle (Uncle Mo {USA}) with their dam the unraced Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Derelique. She is a half-sister to the G2 Phar Lap S. winner Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), whose brother Scintillation was a multiple black-type winner in Hong Kong.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 2.55pm AEDT, Sky Racing Active H., $50,000, 1200m
The Team Hawkes-prepared Military Parade (I Am Invincible) is raced by breeders Cressfield Stud and is a brother to the multiple winner and stakes performer Regimental Band. Their dam Lilliburlero (Redoute’s Choice) won the G3 Triscay S. and she is a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Regimental Gal (General Nediym).
Military Parade as a yearling
Lilliburlero is also a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Pago Pago S. and Listed Hilton S. winner Souchez (Lonhro) and the family of the G2 Brisbane Cup winner Chocante (NZ) (Shocking). Military Parade had trialled well ahead of his first appearance at Canterbury Park where he finished well for second and looks primed to go one better here.
Ladbrokes Park, Race 5, 6pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Back Yourself H., $50,000, 1400m
Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) returned an impressive first-up performance at Warrnambool where he went to the front and careered away to score by 7l. He meets a better quality field here, but on the evidence of his debut effort the 3-year-old looks more than capable of rising to the challenge.
Tuvalu as a yearling
He was bred and sold by Merricks Station at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $200,000 with trainer Lindsey Smith and Boomer Bloodstock signing the ticket. He is the first runner for Hangin’ Touch (Exceed And Excel), a three-quarter sister to the dual Group 2 winner Annaba (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) and a half-sister to the G2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay winner Pozarica (GB) (Rainbow’s Quest {USA}). It’s also the family of the Group 1 winners and sires Helmet and Epaulette.
