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.
On Thursday, Chris Waller debuts a well-credentialed Fastnet Rock filly at Newcastle, while a Teofilo (Ire) 3-year-old is on debut at Pakenham and a well-related Headwater gelding looks for a deserved maiden success.
Newcastle, Race 5, 3.50pm AEDT, New Zealand Bloodstock Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Whelk (Fastnet Rock) should carry plenty of fitness into her first start for Chris Waller having had three trials this campaign in the lead-in. She won the second one, at Rosehill late last month, and was not far away in her most recent hitout at the same track last week.
Whelk as a yearling
Debbie Kepitis' Woppitt Bloodstock paid $300,000 for the Fastnet Rock filly from the Coolmore draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to two winners, Magnum (Flying Spur) and Barely Brown (USA) and their dam, Airlie (Zabeel {NZ}) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Onemorenomore and stakes winner Dr Green (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) from the family of Group 1 winner Casino Prince.
Pakenham, Race 3, 7pm AEDT, Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
A NZ$300,000 buy for McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Cuban State (Teofilo {Ire}) kicks off his career for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. He trialled quite nicely at Geelong recently, jumping well and sitting just off the pace before finishing a close-up third.
Cuban State as a yearling
This gelding is a half-brother to G3 Rotorua S. winner Tomelilla (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) as well as three other winners, Kodema (Perfectly Ready), Victor Hugo (Fastnet Rock) and Viktor Vegas (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). The second dam, Andrella (Dehere {USA}) is a three-quarter sister to St Therese (Dehere {USA}), the dam of Group 1 winners Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile) and Castelvecchio.
Doomben, Race 1, 2.21pm AEDT, TAB Venue Mode QTIS 3YO, $35,000, 1200m
Head Legislator (Headwater) has been building towards a maiden victory in the Vinery Stud colours and was only narrowly beaten last time out at this track in his first run back from a spell. Trainer Matthew Dunn has been patient with his gelding, and could be rewarded, not only here, but moving forward in this campaign.
Head Legislator as a yearling
He was a $100,000 buy for Dunn and his bloodstock agent Neil Jenkinson at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Vinery, who opted to stay invested. His dam, Legislature (More Than Ready {USA}) was stakes placed and has had three winners to the track. She is a sister to Group 1 winner Carry On Cutie, who is the grandam of another Group 1 winner, Aquis stallion The Mission.
