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 take a closer look at a trio of 2-year-olds at Rosehill, Flemington and Ipswich who have the recent form and pedigrees to warrant serious consideration in their respective events.
Rosehill, Race 1, 11.30am AEST, E Group Security H., $125,000, 1500m
Verbek (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) has both the form and the pedigree to make him a serious contender here. He has finished in the money in all four appearances, including a last-start second in the Listed Phoenix S. over this trip.
Verbek (NZ) as a yearling
Offered by Windsor Park Stud at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Verbek was purchased by trainer Robert Price for $55,000. He is a son of Chapchick (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who won twice, and she is a half-sister to the G1 Levin Classic winner Distill (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) and to the Listed Marton Cup winner Mr Tipsy (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}). The G3 Rough Habit Plate winner Ballistic Boy (Smart Missile) is also a member of this well-performed family.
Flemington, Race 1, 11.45am AEST, Rod Johnson H., $125,000, 1420m
Trainer Peter Moody went to $450,000 to secure Forbidden City (I Am Invincible) out of the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. This filly is a half-sister to the juvenile winner and Group 2 performer Never Talk (No Nay Never {USA}) and they are out of Doduo (Danehill {USA}).
Forbidden City as a yearling
She is a sister to the Listed Desirable H. winner Hillfa, dam of dual black-type winner Walk With Attitude (Hussonet {USA}) and the pedigree also features the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner and leading sire Invincible Spirit (Ire) and the G2 Eight Carat Classic winner Contessa Vanessa (Bullbars). Forbidden City was below par on debut and then showed significant improvement to finish runner-up at Geelong and over more ground here is capable of going one better.
Ipswich, Race 1, 11.38am AEST, Sirromet Bundamba Plate, $75,000, 1350m
Derani (Sebring) has progressed with each outing for trainer Kacy Fogden and rounded off strongly to win at Doomben last time out. He will again be ridden by Stephanie Thornton and appeals as a leading prospect to double his victory tally.
The late Sebring, sire of Derani
Bred by Aquis and raced by the Fung family, Derani is out of Benedictus (Commands) and a half-sister to the G2 Magic Night S. winner Alizes (Rory’s Jester) with their dam the G1 The Galaxy H. winner La Baraka (Euclase), a daughter of the five-time Group 1 winner Triscay (Marscay). Another headline act close up in the pedigree is the triple Group 1 winner Alizee (Sepoy), whose brother Astern claimed an edition of the G1 Golden Rose S. before his retirement to stud at Darley.
