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 Friday, a Coolmore-owned Vancouver 3-year-old looks for a winning return to the track in the Australian capital, at Canterbury a recent impressive trial performance has a son of Frosted (USA) up in lights, while at Moonee Valley, the son of a Group 1-winning mare aims for his first win.
Canberra, Race 4, 2.49pm AEDT, Casino Canberra Canberra Guineas Preview, $40,000, 1400m
In what looms a very interesting race ahead of the autumn, Yaletown (Vancouver) returns for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, having looked pretty sharp in a recent trial. His one start to date was a win at Kembla Grange back in October, which gave an indication of his potential.
Yaletown as a yearling
He was purchased by Coolmore's Tom Magnier in partnership with his trainers for $300,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is out of Marianne (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who won a Listed race and was stakes placed on multiple other occasions. She is a sister to G1 Schweppes Oaks runner-up Our Miss Jones (NZ) and three-quarter sister to stakes-performed Leotie (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Canterbury, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, TAB H., $50,000, 1200m
The Team Hawkes-trained Kooled (Frosted {USA}) was super impressive in the way he finished off his recent Rosehill trial, overcoming traffic to power home into fourth in the manner of a very promising horse. He also won an earlier trial.
Frosted (USA), sire of Kooled | Standing at Darley
Bred and raced by Rob and Pam Crosby, he is a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Dawn Dawn (All Too Hard) and the winner Enjoy Elsie (Sepoy). His dam, Dawned (One Cool Cat {USA}) is a half-sister to two stakes winners, Beat The Fade (NZ) (Maroof {USA}) and Dawn Till Dusk (NZ) (Mantarri {Ire}). The extended family includes the Singapore Horse of the Year, Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Moonee Valley, Race 1, 6.30pm AEDT, Reliable Energy Plate, $60,000, 1200m
The well-bred Seguso (Redoute's Choice) returns to the racetrack here after stepping out once last May as a 2-year-old when he was a close-up second in a Sale maiden. Trainer Grahame Begg gave him a recent jump-out at Balnarring, where he worked home nicely without really being tested.
Seguso as a yearling
He is the second foal from Group 1 winner Shamal Wind (Dubawi {Ire}), who has also produced the winner The Driller (Sea The Stars {Ire}). He was purchased by Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Pinecliff Racing for $150,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Newgate draft.
