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 will aim to give you something to follow.
Today, we are tipping a pair of debut 2-year-old winners to successfully step up to stakes company and at Moonee Valley we are expecting an expensive colt to show sharp improvement on his first-up performance.
Rosehill, Race 2, 1.10pm AEDT, G3 Cerrone Magic Night S., $175,000, 1200m
Latino Blend (NZ) (Hinchinbrook) made the perfect start to her career at Newcastle where she got well back in the running from a tricky gate and powered home for victory. That effort suggested she won’t be out of place in Group company.
Latino Blend (NZ) as a yearling
Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, Latino Blend was offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Bhima Thoroughbreds and purchased by Zhongli Racing for $195,000. She is out of the multiple winner and G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. runner-up Lazumba (Sebring) and is a daughter of Tantalized (Octagonal {NZ}), a half-sister to stakes winner Aquiver (Danehill {USA}). The second dam is the G2 VRC Breeders’ Plate winner Exalted Angel (Don’t Day Halo {USA}), also successful multiple times at Group 3 level.
Rosehill, Race 3, 1.45pm AEDT, G3 Bowermans Commercial Furniture Pago Pago S., $175,000, 1200m
Bred and raced by Evergreen Rich, Converge (Frankel {GB}) is the first foal of the Shamardal (USA) mare Conversely (Ire) and she is a daughter of the G2 Belmont Sands Point S. winner Melhor Ainda (USA) (Pulpit {USA}), also a two-time Group 1 placegetter. The second dam Potrinner (Arg) (Potrillazo {Arg}) was a Group 1 winner in her homeland and her sister Potridee (Arg) won the G1 Hollywood Park Vanity H.
Frankel (GB), sire of Converge | Standing at Juddmonte Farms
It's also the strong international family of T.H. Approval (USA) (With Approval {USA}), winner of two editions of the G2 San Juan Capistrano H. and the Group 3 winners Endorsement (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) and Kitty In A Tizzy (USA) (Tiznow {USA}). The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Converge hasn’t raced since he won first time out at Warwick Farm before Christmas, but a recent trial success showed he was ready to make an impact.
Moonee Valley, Race 2, 12.50pm AEDT, Listed Charter Keck Cramer Valley Pearl, $150,000, 1200m
Wizard Of Oz (Exceed And Excel) was bred by Hilldene Farm and offered on its behalf by Milburn Creek at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was a hugely popular youngster and was knocked down to Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $1.1 million.
Wizard Of Oz as a yearling
The colt is out of the unraced Dream In Colour (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose dam Colour (More Than Ready {USA}) won the G3 Breeders’ S. and is from the family of the three-time Group 1 winner Forensics (Flying Spur) G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint winner and sire Derryn. Wizard Of Oz was unplaced, but not far away first time out on the Kensington track and with the benefit of that experience and an inside gate can give a much-improved display.
