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 Randwick of a smart trial-winning juvenile, a son of a Group 1 winner on debut at Newcastle and at Caulfield we are expecting a 2-year-old to remain unbeaten following a first-up success.
Randwick, Race 1, 11am AEST, Acy Securities H., $130,000 1100m
Governor (I Am Invincible) was co-bred by media personality Ron Dufficy and was sold at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Yarraman Park Stud to the $450,000 bid of China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock. He is a half-brother to the multiple winner Newsreader (Press Statement) and they are out of the Thorn Park mare Thinking Of You (NZ), twice successful and placed in the G1 Flight S.
Governor as a yearling
Thinking Of You is out of a half-sister to the G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Spurred On (Flying Spur) and further back in the pedigree are the stakes winners and Group 1 performers Eureka Jewel (Semipalatinsk {USA}) and Goldconda (Snitzel). Governor is prepared by Team Hawkes, and while he lacks the experience of a number of his rivals, he has looked sharp at the trials and won his latest outing on a Heavy Canterbury Park track.
Newcastle, Race 2, 12.30pm AEST, Charlestown Square H., $35,000, 1200m
Whatever I Say (Pierro) was bred by Katom and is raced by Unifaith Bloodstock after he was purchased for $140,000 out of Erinvale Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. A half-brother to a pair of winners, his dam is the former high-class performer Universal Queen (NZ) (Scenic {Ire}), successful in the G1 Robert Sangster S. and a sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Universal Prince.
Whatever I Say as a yearling
The G1 Coolmore Classic winner Krone (Eurozone) and the G1 George Ryder S. winner Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}) are also members of this family. Trained by Matthew Dunn, Whatever I Say is on debut here following a pair of quiet trials last month and the 3-year-old appeals as a strong chance to make his presence felt from an inside gate in the hands of Rory Hutchings.
Caulfield, Race 1, 11.50am AEST, Neds H., $125,000, 1100m
Godolphin representative Zapateo (Brazen Beau) came in for strong support on debut at Geelong and had no trouble carrying her supporters through with the James Cummings-trained filly smoking home from the back of the field for a comfortable victory. She certainly looks up to Saturday class and her prospects of retaining her unbeaten record look excellent with Damien Oliver again in the saddle.
Brazen Beau, sire of Zapateo | Standing at Darley
Zapateo has a pedigree to be proud of and is a half-sister to the talented Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}), successful in the G2 TAB S. and a five-time Group 1 placegetter. Their dam Jerezana (Lohnro) won the Listed Ramornie H. and is a half-sister to the dam of Zapateo’s stablemate Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}), winner of the G2 Roman Consul S. and third in the G1 The Galaxy H.
Looking back
Asteroidea (American Pharoah {USA}) did us proud at Sale where she made a winning debut for trainer Michael Moroney.
The filly had looked extra good when successful in a recent Flemington jump-out and carried that form over on Friday when she overcame an awkward gate to suggest she has the brightest of futures.
The Awesome Son (Not A Single Doubt) was a scratching at Sale while our other selection Grecian Lass (Fastnet Rock) will also wait for another day as the Scone meeting was called off after the opening event due to poor visibility.
