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’ll aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, an impressive recent jump-out winner debuts for Clinton McDonald at Ballarat, where Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have a promising filly back at the racetrack, while at Tamworth, Kris Lees resumes a filly who looked very smart in a trial.
Ballarat, Race 2, 12.20pm AEST, Hertz Ballarat Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Midnight Hussy (Exceed And Excel) was a $350,000 purchase for her trainer Clinton McDonald at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Esker Lodge, so expectations will be high on her here on debut. She is out of Swaane (Charge Forward), a dual-winning half-sister to the Group 2 winner Jessy Belle (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and who has already produced the metropolitan winner Contessa (Headwater).
Midnight Hussy as a yearling
She was very impressive winning a jump-out at Caulfield in July, jumping straight to the front and establishing a massive margin before being allowed to cruise home. A repeat of that display of speed should see her go very close to making a winning debut in this race.
Ballarat, Race 3, 12.50pm AEST, Bartlett Blinds Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained The Amazonian (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) resumes having made just the one appearance through her 2-year-old season when she took on a Listed race at Moonee Valley and found the challenge, at that stage, a bit beyond her. She has had a couple of jump-outs ahead of her return and showed some early speed in her most recent one before taking a sit and then working home reasonably well.
Akeed Mofeed (GB), sire of The Amazonian | Standing at Goldin Farms
A $140,000 buy for Suman Hedge and Mick Price at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where she was offered by her breeders at Goldin Farm, this filly is a sister to the Group placegetter Sunset Watch, out of the stakes-placed Snitzel mare Saramenha, who is a half-sister to stakes winner In Bloom (Brocco {USA}).
Tamworth, Race 4, 2.25pm AEST, Thrifty Tamworth Mdn, $24,000, 1000m
Only Need Time (Headwater) was quite competitive in her four runs at her first preparation for Kris Lees, placing on debut at Port Macquarie and then again at her third start at Quirindi. She won her recent Newcastle trial quite impressively, sitting back off the pace and then powering over the top of her rivals.
Only Need Time as a yearling
By Champion Second Season Sire Headwater, she is the first foal out of Baylie Louise (Onemorenomore), the daughter of multiple stakes placegetter With My (Covetous). G1 Kentucky Derby winner Spectacular Bid (USA) also features on the pedigree page. Only Need Time was passed in at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and retained by her breeders Ruane Menangle.
Looking back
All three of our selections from our Looking Ahead section on Thursday ran with merit.
The Patrick Payne-trained Darwin's Theory (Dundeel {NZ}) closed off well to finish third in his debut at Coleraine, while at Kembla Grange, Latino Blend (NZ) (Hinchinbrook) didn't jump well before charging home to snatch third in her race, beaten less than 1l.
Baranof (Hinchinbrook) looked the winner in his race at Kembla Grange, shooting clear at the 200-metre mark, only to be run down late and finish fourth.
