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 prospects at Ballarat of three maiden contenders who are in the early stages of their careers and have the form lines and pedigrees to warrant a close look at their chances of breakthrough victories.
Ballarat, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Ballarat Antenna Solutions Plate, $23,000, 1200m
The Defiant One (Rubick) will be at short odds in this and it is hard to see him not delivering an overdue victory against this lineup. He has twice placed from a handful of appearances and last time out over this course and distance finished off solidly to run second. That was his first outing since November so it’s reasonable to expect further improvement from the 3-year-old.
The Defiant One as a yearling
A half-brother to the G2 Hobartville S. winner Man From Uncle (Uncle Mo {USA}), The Defiant One was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Coolmore Stud and knocked down to co-trainer Ciaron Maher for $340,000. He is a son of the unraced Derelique (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), a half-sister to the G2 Phar Lap S. winner and Group 1 placegetter Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}) and her brother Scintillation was a multiple black-type winner in Hong Kong.
Ballarat, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Cervus Equipment Plate, $23,000, 1400m
A half-sister to five winners, Carlisle Bells (Star Witness) was bred by Canning Downs Stud, who remains in the ownership, and is out of the Listed James HB Carr S. winner Royal Mask (Royal Academy {USA}). She is a half-sister to the QTC Sires’ Produce S. and G3 Victoria H. winner Masked Assassin (Danzero) and is from the family of the G3 Easter Cup winner and Group 1 performer Mi Galleon (NZ) (Al Khawaaneg {USA}).
Star Witness, sire of Carlisle Bells | Standing at Widden Stud Victoria
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Carlisle Bells wasn’t sighted at the first time of asking and then came in for strong support on this track last month and showed significant improvement with a runner-up finish. Craig Newitt rides the filly again and they appeal as a combination that can go one better this time.
Ballarat, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Polytrack Plate, $23,000, 1500m
Zoudini (Zoustar) looks ideally placed here to add to his famous family’s winning honours board following a couple of sound efforts this campaign. He is a half-brother to black-type winners Wales (Redoute’s Choice), Jolly Banner (Lonhro) and C’Est Beau La Vie (Bernardini {USA}) with their dam the G3 Tesio S. winner Valkyrie Diva (Jade Robbery {USA}). She is a half-sister to the great Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}), a seven-time Group 1 winner and twice Australian Horse of the Year.
Zoudini as a yearling
Offered by Milburn Creek at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Zoudini was bought by Spicer Thoroughbreds for $60,000 and placed in the care of trainer Lindsey Smith. He placed in both starts last preparation and returned to finish runner-up and a last-start fourth over 1100 metres on this course. The step up to 1500 metres looks right up his alley, with his fortunes to be guided by Brett Prebble.
