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 Friday, a well-related Mike Moroney-trained filly steps out on debut for prominent owner Rupert Legh and fellow connections at Sale, while a half-brother to the five-time Group 1 winner presents at his second career start later in the program. We then turn our attention to Scone to watch an unexposed filly from the Kris Lees yard take on a field of various seasoned maidens.
Sale, Race 1, 1pm AEST, McDonalds Gippsland 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1100m
Asteroidea (American Pharoah {USA}) was superb winning a recent Flemington jump-out in fast time. She draws barrier 11 in a capacity field here and looks forward enough to find herself right in the finish on debut.
Asteroidea as a yearling
A $575,00 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Anthony Panozzo, Matt Laurie Racing and Adam Brandwood, Asteroidea is out of the Group 3-placed Starfish (Redoute’s Choice), thus making her a half-sister to G2 Skyline S. third placegetter Wolf Cry (Street Cry {Ire}) and dual Listed placegetter Glenbawn Dame (Shamardal {USA}).
Starfish herself is out of G1 Australia S. winner Stella Cadente (Centaine). She is also a half-relation to the dam of G1 Newmarket H. third placegetter Aeronautical (Encosta De Lago).
Sale, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Gippsland Isuzu Mdn, $35,000, 1600m
The Awesome Son (Not A Single Doubt) was excellent on debut over 1400 metres when flashing home from back in the field to finish third. He will be improved stepping out in trip and will make his presence felt out wide over the concluding stages.
The Awesome Son as a yearling
A $900,000 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Aquis Farm via the draft of Arrowfield Stud, The Awesome Son is out of the unraced Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), thus making him a half-brother to Champion colt turned Arrowfield Stud sire The Autumn Sun.
Azmiyna herself is extremely well-bred, being a half-sister to the four-time European Group 1 winner Azamour (Ire) and Group 2 winner Arazan (Ire). The trio's dam Asmara (USA) (Lear Fan {USA}) was a Listed winner in her own right.
Scone, Race 4, 2.10pm AEST, Thoroughbred Industry Careers H., $24,000, 1300m
Grecian Lass (Fastnet Rock) is forward enough to make her presence felt on debut. The well-bred juvenile has shown ability in her four trials to date and is likely to secure an economical run in transit from barrier seven.
Grecian Lass as a yearling
A $200,000 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Lees Racing, Grecian Lass is out of the G3 Caulfield Classic winner and G1 Schweppes Oaks fourth placegetter Sacred Eye (High Chaparral {Ire}), who herself is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. third placegetter Tulip (Pierro).
Looking Back
Tavistock (NZ) filly Killarney Kiss (NZ) was solid in third on debut at Cranbourne. She settled up on the speed throughout but was no match for dominant winner Please Sir (Outreach). She is bred to appreciate stepping out over further than 1400 metres and is one to watch moving forward.
The other we highlighted Love To Dream (Written Tycoon) was a non factor on debut and finished 8l last.
We didn’t see our other selection Dar Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) go around as he was scratched from the opening race at Cranbourne.
