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.
Sunday’s racing action features a blue-blooded 2-year-old debuting at Bendigo, a consistent performer who appears to be closing in on a win at the Sunshine Coast, and another well-related youngster returning from a long lay-off in the last event on the Bendigo card.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Catanach’s Jewellers 2YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Tony and Calvin McEvoy unveil the first-starter Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring), racing in the colours of Spendthrift Australia and ridden by Jye McNeil.
This chestnut filly is out of the stakes-winning mare Bonnie Mac (NZ) (Thorn Park), whose two previous foals to race have both been high-quality black-type winners.
Mac 'N' Cheese as a yearling
First foal Exceedance won the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and G3 San Domenico S., along with a placing in the G1 Golden Rose, and now stands at Vinery Stud.
Bonnie Mac’s other foal to race is Oxley Road (Exceed And Excel), an impressive two-race winner from three starts to date including the G3 Zeditave S.
Mac ‘N’ Cheese was offered by Newgate Farm at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Spendthrift secured her for $300,000.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, HOT 91 Ladies Oaks Day 28th May QTIS 3YO Maiden H., $22,000, 1400m
A win looks close for Brut Gold (Akeed Mofeed {GB}), who has placed in all of his three appearances so far.
The gelding was beaten by a nose when second on debut at Doomben on March 17, then finished third at the Gold Coast on April 3 before a last-start second at this track on April 25.
Brut Gold as a yearling
Brut Gold is trained by Stuart Kendrick and will be ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor, an apprentice with a 1.5kg claim.
By Akeed Mofeed (GB), Brut Gold is out of a half-sister to the US Horse of the Year Havre De Grace (USA) (Saint Liam {USA}), whose nine wins included the G1 Woodward S., Beldame S. and Apple Blossom H.
Brut Gold was a $60,000 purchase from the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, then fetched NZ$220,000 at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Bendigo, Race 8, 4.45pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda BM64 H., $35,000, 1300m
This race features the beautifully bred 3-year-old Halogen (Sebring), the winner of one of his four starts to date.
Halogen is out of the stakes-winning mare Solar Charged (Charge Forward), which makes him a half-brother to the top-class three-time Group 1 winner Sunlight (Zoustar), G3 Red Roses S. winner Sisstar (Zoustar) and Listed-placed Dio (Zoustar). Halogen is also a full brother to Sheikha, who has won two races and placed in the G3 Kindergarten S.
Halogen as a yearling
Halogen was a $650,000 purchase from the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, he finished sixth on debut at Moonee Valley in late December 2019, followed by a win and a fourth among three appearances at Murray Bridge last spring.
He resumes from a long break on Sunday, having recently trialled at Morphettville.
