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 will be following the fortunes of a pair of lightly raced maiden contenders at Scone while at Ballarat we like a 3-year-old who is resuming and the best performance of his short career was delivered in a fresh state.
Scone, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Congratulations Mike Pritchard H., $22,000, 1300m
Sarandos (I Am Invincible) showed enough in his opening preparation to warrant serious attention this time around. He finished in behind the major players in all three of his outings and, with a couple of recent trials to fit him for his return, promises to be a strong chance.
Sarandos as a yearling
Offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Murrulla Stud, Sarandos was purchased for $400,000 with the ticket signed by Aquis and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He is a son of the four-time Group 1 winner Streama (Stratum), whose daughter Pensera (Pierro) won at Newcastle on Saturday, and the family of the G2 Stan Fox S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Decision Time (Foreplay).
Scone, Race 2, 12.35pm AEST, Inglis June Late Sale Online (25-30) Plate, $22,000, 1000m
Minniti (Redoute’s Choice) is the first foal of Samartested (Testa Rossa), a capable race mare who won on four occasions and was placed at Group 2 level. She is out of Samar (Secret Savings {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}), who produced the G3 Quezette S. winner Exhilarates (Snitzel).
The late Redoute’s Choice, sire of Minniti
Also the dam of the G2 Karrakatta Plate winner Night War (General Nediym), Samar is a half-sister to the former hardy performer County Tyrone (Danewin), a three-time Group 1 winner. Minniti has made a good start to her career with two runner-up finishes and a third placing from three starts so she should make another bold bid for victory here.
Ballarat, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Cervus Equipment Plate, $23,000, 1200m
The Defiant One (Rubick) was offered by Coolmore at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and purchased by co-trainer Ciaron Maher for $340,000. He is a half-brother to the G2 Hobartville S. winner Man From Uncle (Uncle Mo {USA}) with their dam the unraced Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Derelique.
The Defiant One as a yearling
Derelique is out of a half-sister to the G2 Phar Lap S. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), whose brother Scintillation was a six-time Listed winner in Hong Kong. The Defiant One has been lightly tried with a debut placing from three starts so he acts well fresh and from barrier four can make a major impression on his return.
