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, two well-bred prospects that hail from a similar dam line will step out on debut at Cranbourne in six and seven-furlong maidens respectively, while another lightly raced prospect boasting an enriched pedigree seeks to break their maiden at Wodonga.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 6pm AEST, Dirt Rock Civil Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Fashion Guru (I Am Invincible) will step out on debut for trainer John McArdle and his trusty head hoop Jamie Mott. The well-bred prospect will jump from barrier 10 of 11 and hasn’t been seen since being well-held in a January trial.
Fashion Guru as a yearling
Bred by Newhaven Park, Fashion Guru was a $120,000 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. He is out of dual Listed-placed Fashion (Encosta De Lago), who herself is out of the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}). This makes her a half-sister to Listed winner and Victoria Derby fourth-placegetter Villain (Carnegie {Ire}).
Cranbourne, Race 4, 7pm AEST, Anco Instant Turf Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1200m
La Caresse (Duporth) has jumped out superbly at Sandown ahead of his debut. The Matt Laurie-trained galloper has shown plenty of speed and looks capable of kicking his career off in style under Daniel Stackhouse.
Duporth, sire of La Caresse | Standing at Aquis Farm
Bred by Serene Bloodstock, La Caraesse was purchased for $24,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale by Paul Willetts Bloodstock. He is the third foal to place out of Listed winner Cuddles For Naara (General Nediym). G1 Blue Diamond S. winner True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}) along with dual Group 2 winner and three-time Group 1-placed filly Wager (Flying Spur) feature in Cuddles For Naara’s second dam line.
Wodonga, Race 2, 12.50pm AEST, Wodonga Jewellers Mdn Plate, $23,000, 1590m
Tullaghan (Al Maher) boxed on soundly to finish 4l third on debut at Albury. He steps up in trip here and looks capable of breaking his maiden for trainer Mitch Beer with luck from barrier 12.
Tullaghan as a yearling
Passed in after failing to meet his reserve of $50,000 set by vendors Ainsley Downs at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale, Tullaghan is out of G1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}). Making him a half-sibling to Listed winner Lipari (Redoute’s Choice), who herself is the dam of G1 Australian Derby winner Levendi (Pierro) and Group 3 winners Wu Gok (Sepoy) and Marcel From Madrid (Sebring).
