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 Sunday, we kick off proceedings with the first of three debutants at Warracknabeal before turning our attention to the Gosford meeting to watch a well-related son of So You Think (NZ) and a half-sister to the 2008 G1 Blue Diamond S. winner.
Warracknabeal, Race 3, 12.20pm AEST, Pony Xpress Mdn, $23,000, 1205m
Sonora (So You Think {NZ}) was green when winning a recent jump-out. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly is bred to improve over further and will benefit from the experience.
Sonora as a yearling
A $320,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Spurs And Sashes (Flying Spur) hails from an enriched first damline, featuring G2 Angus Armanasco S. winner Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}), G3 Mannerism S. winner Royal Sash (Royal Academy {USA}) and G3 National S. winner Vini Veloce (More Than Ready {USA}).
Gosford, Race 1, 12.55pm AEST, Taperell Rutledge Solicitors 2YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Son Of Emperor (So You Think {NZ}) has put in two sound trial showings. He draws barrier two in this field of seven and will need an ounce of luck in running to be winning.
Son Of Emperor as a yearling
A $310,000 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase, Son Of Emperor is a half-brother to G3 BRC Grand Prix S. winner Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) and a full brother to the G3 RJ Peters S.-placed Tamasa (So You Think {NZ}).
He is out of Listed Canberra Cup winner Fill The Page (Dane Shadow), who herself is a half-sister to G3 Carbine Club S. runner-up Patch Adams (Dane Shadow).
Gosford, Race 5, 3.25pm AEST, Tanti Financial Services Mdn H., $35,000, 1200m
Queen Himiko (Real Impact {Jpn}) is well and truly tuned up for her debut after completing six trials. The rising 4-year-old has drawn barrier 12 for this contest and is forward enough to figure prominently.
Queen Himiko as a yearling
A $240,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Triple Crown Syndications, Queen Himiko is a half-sister to the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Reaan (Hussonet {USA}).
Her dam is the G2 Moonee Valley Oaks winner and dual Group 1 fourth placegetter Ribe (Danehill {USA}), who herself is a half-sister to G3 Tattersall’s Cup winner Acetate (Hennessy {USA}).
Looking Back
We kicked things off on the right note with Silent Impact (Real Impact {Jpn}) saluting on debut in the opening event at Rosehill before being brought back to earth by unplaced performances from Regulus (Starcraft {NZ}) and Murrumbidgee River (Fiorente {Ire}) at Caulfield.
