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.
On Thursday, three horses on debut take our eye. A Dundeel (NZ) colt steps out for John Sadler at Cranbourne, where we also have a filly trained by Peter Moody from a Group 1 winner having her first start, while Annabel Neasham has an impressive recent trial winner in at Kembla Grange.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Designer Coolrooms 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Dar Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) was one of a group of 10 yearlings which John Sadler purchased on behalf of Bon Ho at last year's Magic Millions, with two of them already notching up victories in Starry Legend (Zoustar) and Cheerful Legend (Shalaa {Ire}). This colt cost $340,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft and is the first foal from the multiple stakes winner Cavaloce (Testa Rossa), who is out of a half-sister to the Group 1-winning mare Reactive (Geiger Counter {USA}).
Dar Legend as a yearling
Dar Legend has had a few jump-outs at Caulfield and at the most recent he looked very professional jumping out well and winning from the front. He has drawn barrier one here on debut and has experienced jockey Joe Bowditch in the saddle.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, TAB Long May We Play Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Peter Moody gives a debut to Tavistock (NZ) filly Killarney Kiss (NZ) after her recent Pakenham jump-out, where she finished just on the heels of the winner in a promising effort. She is bred to handle the Heavy conditions and her late sire Tavistock is having a career-best season with his progeny in Australia, with 100 winners.
Killarney Kiss (NZ) as a yearling
Her dam, Irish Fling (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) won a G1 Telegraph H. and has already produced the Hawke’s Bay winner Viking (NZ) (Savabeel). This filly's grandam Irish Belle (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) was stakes-placed and is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Final Destination (O'Reilly {NZ}). She was offered through the Milan Park draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where she cost NZ$150,000.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 1.45pm AEST, Stephen Hood 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
In what is a quality maiden with a host of well-bred 2-year-olds, the Annabel Neasham-trained Love To Dream (Written Tycoon) takes the eye off the back of her powerhouse trial performance at Wyong, where she led all the way and strode clear to win by 4.3l.
Love To Dream as a yearling
She was initially purchased for $800,000 as a yearling by Aquis through the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was then offered through the Blue Sky Premium Consignment at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where Mitchell Bloodstock paid $325,000 for her.
She is the first foal out of the Listed winner Hijack Hussy (Hussonet {USA}) from an extended family that includes Group 1 winners Masked Party (Marscay), Festal (Vain) Inspiration (Flying Spur), Wandjina, Dracula and Complacent.
Looking Back
Military Expert (Redoute's Choice), a $1.1 million yearling, was picked out for this column on Wednesday and ran an excellent race to be beaten a short margin by King Of Sparta (I Am Invincible) in his debut at Kensington. He should be breaking his maiden shortly.
The other we highlighted from Kensington, Cat D'Oro (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) finished fifth in his race and will hopefully benefit from his first-up run.
We didn't get chance to see our other selection, The Velvet Queen (Universal Ruler), as the Belmont races were abandoned.
