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 are expecting a promising youngster to make his mark in better company at Rosehill, and at Caulfield we like the chances of well-bred juvenile and a 3-year-old with an international Group 1 pedigree.
Rosehill, Race 1, 11.35am AEST, Peter Kafataris H., $125,000, 1300m
Imposing Beau (Brazen Beau) moves up in class here, but the Team Hawkes representative looks to have the ability to rise to the challenge and has a hefty pull in the weights on some of his better-performed rivals. The 3-year-old has won one of his three starts and will drop 4kg on his solid last-start effort to finish runner-up.
Imposing Beau as a yearling
Offered by Springmont at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Imposing Beau was knocked down to Orbis Bloodstock for $560,000. He is a son of the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Sistine Princess (NZ) and she is a half-sister to the G3 Vain S. and R. Listed Inglis 2YO Premier winner and sire Jukebox. Their stakes-winning dam Jestatune (Rory’s Jester) is a half-sister to the G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Ihtsahymn (Ihitiram {Ire}) and the family of the G2 QTC Cup winner and G1 The Goodwood H. runner-up Catapulted (Catbird).
Caulfield, Race 1, 11.50am AEST, Unleash Your Neds Toolbox H., $125,000, 1100m
Viviane (Written Tycoon) is raced by breeder Hesket Bloodstock and is a daughter of the dual Listed winner and G1 Coolmore Stud S. runner-up Curtana (Exceed And Excel), who has produced four winners, including the stakes performer Sword Of Mercy (Sebring). The dam is a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Flamberge and half-sister to the G2 Caulfield Sprint H. winner Sunburnt Land (Scenic {Ire}) and the dual Group 3 winner Durendal (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Written Tycoon, sire of Viviane | Standing at Yulong
Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Viviane was less than 5l off the winner when she made her debut in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) and was then spelled. She returned in fine style when second to the highly regarded Argentia (Frankel {GB}) at Flemington and looks a strong chance to go one better in this.
Caulfield, Race 3, 1pm AEST, Neds Neds Toolbox H., $135,000, 1000m
Dickin Medal (Snitzel) was below par when resuming at Flemington, but his previous performances were excellent and he certainly deserves another chance. He was unbeaten in his first two appearances and then finished a solid fourth in the G3 Manfred S. behind subsequent G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky (Deep Field).
Snitzel, sire of Dickin Medal | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Trained by James Cummings, Dickin Medal is a half-brother to the multiple winner Plaquette (Exceed And Excel) and their dam is the unraced Medaglia (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). She is a half-sister to the G3 Newcastle Newmarket H. winner Bello (Exceed And Excel), Listed winner Emblems (Shamardal {USA}) and sister to the black-type winner Trenchant. Feature names in this pedigree are the dual Group 1 winners and sires Mastery (GB) and Mukhadram (GB).
