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 are expecting fireworks at Canterbury Park from a 3-year-old who will appreciate a step up in trip and a filly whose recent trial win was a pointer to her readiness to resume. At Bendigo, we like a debut runner whose immediate pedigree features former crack sprinter and sire Merchant Navy.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Sky Racing Active H., $50,000, 1550m
Kahuka (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) made a strong start to his career when he found the line well on debut to finish third at Hawkesbury and the winner Maurice’s Medad (Maurice {Jpn}) has since finished runner-up in the Listed Fernhill H. The extra distance here should suit the Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old ideally.
Kahuka as a yearling
Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Kahuka was a $200,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Katsumi Yoshida and is the first to race for La Velata (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}). She is a half-sister to the Listed winners Volsheb (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) and L’Ile D’Aval (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}) and their dam is the G2 De La Rose H. winner Veil Of Avalon (USA) (Thunder Gulch {USA}). She is a half-sister to the legendary stallion Deep Impact (Jpn).
Canterbury Park, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, Hyland Race Colours H., $50,000, 1200m
Xtremetime (Extreme Choice) was bred by SF Bloodstock and sold by Newgate Farm to Prime Thoroughbreds for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to the G1 Saratoga Travers S. runner-up Carocaro (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) and they are out of the War Front (USA) mare Peace Time (USA).
Xtremetime as a yearling
She is a daughter of the G2 Hollywood Oaks winner Santa Catarina (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), who was also a four-time Group 1 placegetter. Xtremetime was put aside after finishing fifth on debut on Boxing Day behind the capable Rocket Tiger (Cluster), a subsequent Group performer, and a recent trial win suggested the John Thompson-trained filly is ready to star on her return.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Ready Bake Classic Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Sleipnir (More Than Ready {USA}) was offered by Segenhoe Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and purchased for $240,000 with Hawkes Racing signing the ticket. He was given one quiet trial at Rosehill in November before a spell and the stable is noted for its first-up strike rate so it will pay to take notice of the 3-year-old.
Sleipnir as a yearling
A brother to multiple winner and Group 2-performer God Of Thunder, Sleipnir is out of G2 Roman Consul S. winner and G1 Coolmore Stud S. runner-up Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock). She is a sister to the multiple Group 1-winning sprinter and sire Merchant Navy and it is also the family of the G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice).
