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 Wednesday, Archie Alexander looks to retain the winning record of a smart Star Witness filly at Sandown, while at Kensington, Team Snowden steps out a promising son of Snitzel and James Cummings resumes a sister of Kementari.
Sandown Lakeside, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Ladbrokes Same Race Multi H., $50,000, 1300m
The Archie Alexander-trained Star Spirit (Star Witness) was impressive winning on debut at the Swan Hill carnival back in June and while she is six weeks between runs into this race, she looks capable of making quick progression.
Star Spirit as a yearling
She was initially purchased for $70,000 through the Stockwell Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Lindsey Smith and Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) before being moved to Alexander's care ahead of her debut. Her dam, Winning Line (Strategic Maneuver) is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Kabayan (Haradasun), while her grandam, Tarlequena (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}) is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and now Kooringal Stud stallion Prized Icon.
Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Admire Mars at Arrowfield Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Snitzel colt Devil's Throat makes his debut for Peter and Paul Snowden in the colours of GPI Racing, who came together with Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) to pay $210,000 for him through the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Devil's Throat as a yearling
He is out of Miss Iguacu (Encosta De Lago), the sister to Group 2 winner Niagara. She has produced three winners from three to the track, including this colt's sisters Iguacu Falls and Miss Bosetti. The pedigree also features a double cross to influential mare, Dancing Show (USA) (Nijinsky II {Can}).
Devil's Throat impressed in a recent Canterbury trial, his second hitout this time in. Regan Bayliss, who rides him here, sat deep outside the pace on that occasion and he gave a good kick, giving an indication he can make a very nice horse.
Kensington, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Darley Supporting Catwalk Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Godolphin filly Laurelin (Lonhro) had just one start at her first campaign before being spelled and she looks to have come back much improved based on her recent trial, where she romped in by 3.6l. She showed a wealth of early pace and then saw off her rivals to win untouched.
Lonhro, sire of Laurelin | Standing at Darley
She is certainly bred to be good as the sister of Group 1 winner Kementari and the half-sister to Listed winner and Westbury Stud stallion Telperion. Their dam, Yavanna (Redoute's Choice) is out of the Group 3 winner Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}), who has also produced the Listed winner Varda (Lonhro), a three-quarter sister to Laurelin.
Looking Back
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Festivus (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) broke through for his maiden win at Ballarat on Tuesday, giving some joy to those who followed him from this column. It was only a narrow win but he was able to get the job done sitting on the pace in his second start.
Rapid Response (Defcon), the half-sister to Group 1 winner Pippie (Written Tycoon), ran a good race on debut at Wyong, finishing fourth, only 0.66l off the winner Sealion (Astern) over 1000 metres.
The other selection from Looking Ahead on Tuesday, Sally Sunshine (Star Witness), finished fifth at Ballarat in a first-up performance that promised more to come.
