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 expecting a juvenile filly stepping out at Tamworth to carry over her winning trial form to race day and like the chances of a lightly-raced 3-year-old of posting a winning strike. At Bendigo, we are tipping a well-related youngster to improve significantly on a sound first-up placing.
Tamworth, Race 1, 1.35pm AEST, The Magic Pudding Tamworth H., $22,000, 1000m
Bred by Widden Stud, Hammoon Star (Star Witness) is a sister to the multiple winner and stakes placegetter Eden Roc, who was also successful as Sunny Boy in Hong Kong. They are out of 2-year-old winner Hilton Head (Fastnet Rock) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Schillaci S. winner and sire Star Turn with their dam the G3 Prince of Waler S. winner Golden Delicious (Made Of Gold {USA}).
Hammoon Star as a yearling
Hammoon Star, who failed to meet her $35,000 reserve at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, is trained by Kris Lees and finished fourth in her first trial outing at Wyong before she won an 800 metre heat on her home track at Newcastle. The filly has drawn well in a big field and her fortunes will be guided by the experienced Christian Reith.
Tamworth, Race 2, 2.10pm AEST, Fast & Fresh Produce Tamworth Plate, $22,000, 1600m
Owned Up (Poet’s Voice {GB}) gave a fine sight when first produced at Port Macquarie where he sat on the pace and kicked on strongly to finish runner-up. With natural improvement and race experience it’s not hard to see the 3-year-old going one better for rider Christian Reith.
The late Poet's Voice (GB), sire of Owned Up
Trained by Jason Deamer, Owned Up is a son of Ihaveaconfession (Shinzig) and she is out of a three-quarter sister to the multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter Hosannah (Octagonal {NZ}) and half-sister to the G3 Up & Coming S. winner Blackball (Canny Lad). This is also the family of the G2 Magic Night S. winner Altar (Commands) and Deprive (Denman), twice successful at Group 3 level.
Bendigo, Race 2, 2pm AEST, The Big Screen Company Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Northern Melody (Zoustar) has a race experience edge on the majority of her rivals here, having finished a sound third on debut at Ballarat last month. Damian Lane will ride the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained filly, who also has the added benefit of a handy gate.
Zoustar, sire of Northern Melody | Standing at Widden Stud
Raced by breeder Contract Racing, Northern Melody is a half-sister to dual winner Palace Whisper (Street Boss {USA}) and they are out of the Hard Spun (USA) mare Royal Scandal, who was successful on four occasions. She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Red Colossus (Testa Rossa) and Nediym’s Glow (General Nediym) and Northern Melody is also closely related to stablemate General Beau (Brazen Beau), winner of this season’s Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) and Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings).
