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 like the chances at Warwick Farm of a pair of well-related juveniles with trial form to strengthen their cases and at Eagle Farm we’re keen on a filly from a well-performed international Group family.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Vinery Stud H., $50,000, 1100m
Misty Dreams (Sebring) boasts an impressive black-type pedigree and has been well-schooled at the trials ahead of her first-up performance. The filly has been placed in both of her outings at Rosehill since a break and with Tommy Berry in the saddle looks a strong prospect.
The late Sebring, sire of Misty Dreams
Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, Misty Dreams is out of the winning Encosta De Lago mare Vital Mist, who is out of a three-quarter sister to the multiple North American Group 1 winner November Snow (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}), whose brother Scatmandu (USA), was a Group 3 winner and sire. Other headlight acts in the pedigree include the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner Believe’N’Succeed (Exceed And Excel), and the dam of the Group 1 winners Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Bounding (Lonhro).
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Harry Angel @ Darley H., $50,000, 1100m
I Am Lethal (I Am Invincible) was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Kitchwin Hills and was knocked down for $250,000 to trainer John O’Shea. He knows the family well having prepared the dam Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) to win the G1 Coolmore Classic and two editions of the G2 Breeders’ Classic.
I Am Lethal as a yearling
Steps In Time is out of a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) with the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Acting (NZ) (Savabeel) also under the second dam. I Am Lethal has looked smart at the trials with winning runs at Gosford and Randwick with the colt ridden on both occasions by Brenton Avdulla, who takes the mount again.
Eagle Farm, Race 1, 12.33pm AEST, Mount Franklin QTIS Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Next To Excel (Exceed And Excel) was bred by Yulong and sold through its Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale consignment for $170,000 to Proven Thoroughbreds and co-trainer Steven O’Dea. She is a daughter of the unraced mare Next Meeting (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}), who is a sister to the G2 Royal Ascot G2 Queen Mary S. winner Raffle Prize (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}). Their dam Summer Fete (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) won the G3 Good Oak Tree S. with the G2 Del Mar San Clemente H. winner Up In Time (USA) (Noverre {USA}) also a distinguished family member.
Next To Excel as a yearling
Put aside after an unplaced run in her first preparation, Next To Excel has showed the benefit of a break with a resuming second and she then came off a handy sit for a convincing victory at Ballina. Stephanie Thornton takes the ride again and from an inside alley they should prove a tough combination to crack.
