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 zero in on the prospects at Flemington of a debut winner who looks capable of handling a rise in class and a 3-year-old we are expecting to continue his good run of form. At the Sunshine Coast, we like the resuming chances of a promising 2-year-old.
Flemington, Race 1, 11.50am AEST, Sofitel Next Generation Sprinters’ Final, $150,000, 1200m
Mennea (Sebring) is raced by breeder Greg Perry’s Greenwich Stud after the colt failed to make his $200,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. That may have a silver cloud outcome as the youngster was an easy debut winner at Donald and he achieved that in a style that suggested he can make his mark in better company.
Mennea as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Mennea is out of Roman Treasure (USA) (Roman Ruler {USA}), whose four foals to race have all been successful. She won three Listed events and is a daughter of the G1 Oaklawn Park Fantasy S. winner Jeanne Jones (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}) and is from a well-performed family that also includes stakes winners Going To Kukaro (USA) (Speightstown {USA}), Belle Of Perintown (USA) (Dehere {USA}), Strike It Rich (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) and Sea Foam (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Flemington, Race 2, 12.25pm AEST, TAB Silver Bowl Series Final, $150,000, 1600m
Bengal Bandit (Brazen Beau) has an interesting background and was bred by Carrington Park and purchased out of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds’ Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale draft by co-trainer Mick Price for $380,000. Before he had raced, he was sold for $6500 at the Inglis Digital May Sale to Valley View Bloodstock.
Bengal Bandit as a yearling
That now looks an outstanding piece of business as the 3-year-old is a half-brother to this season's G1 Goodwood H. winner Savatoxl (Kuroshio) and it is also the family of the Group 3 winners Art Beat (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) and Perfect Start (NZ) (Perfectly Ready). Bengal Bandit has made a bright start to his career with a win and three placings and looks well-placed here, dropping 4.5kg on a last-start second at Cranbourne.
Sunshine Coast, Race 3, 2.07pm AEST, Butler McDermott Lawyers Bruce McLachlan Classic, $75,000, 1000m
Habib (Cable Bay {Ire}) showed plenty of promise during his first preparation and followed up a couple of minor placings with a Toowoomba victory before a break. Since his return, he has finished runner-up in a trial and from a handy gate in five, will get every opportunity in the hands of Brad Stewart.
Cable Bay (Ire), sire of Habib | Standing at Highclere Stud
Prepared by Mark Currie, Habib was bred by B2B Bloodstock and is raced by Melbourne businessman Tom Khoury. The 2-year-old is the first foal of the Not A Single Doubt mare Themis, who was successful on two occasions and is out of a half-sister to the Listed National Sprint winner and G1 Flight S. runner-up My Lady’s Chamber (Arena). She is the dam of the G3 Rotorua Cup winner Highlad (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and it is most notably the family of the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Regal Cheer (Arena).
