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 daughter of Deep Impact (Jpn) debuts at Pakenham, Anthony Cummings looks to continue his good run with an American Pharoah (USA) colt at Gosford, while at the Gold Coast, a promising son of Exceed And Excel aims to break his maiden.
Pakenham Synthetic, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Kennards Hire Pakenham 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Glint Of Hope (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) showed enough at a recent Cranbourne trial to suggest the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained filly can make an impression here on debut. On that occasion, she showed enough speed to share the lead on the inside which was not the best ground, and she ended up finishing third.
Glint Of Hope (Jpn) as a yearling
She was a $250,000 buy from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her dam, Sacred Sight (GB) (Fastnet Rock), is a half-sister to the G1 Ascot Gold Cup winner Colour Vision (Fr) (Rainbow Quest {USA}). They are out of the German Group 3 winner, Give Me Five (Ger) Monsun {Ger}), giving an indication that she might be a filly that will appreciate more distance in time.
Gosford, Race 5, 3.10pm AEST, Virtual Grill Master Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
In what looks a competitive maiden, Pacific Warrior (American Pharoah {USA}) makes his debut for Anthony Cummings, who is having a good run with his early-season 3-year-olds at the moment. This colt has had a couple of trials heading into this race, and while he hasn't figured close-up in the finish as yet, he looks capable of improvement.
Pacific Warrior as a yearling
He is well-bred, as a half-brother to G3 Nivison S. winner Diamond Earth (Choisir) as well was stakes-placed Halle Rocks (Fastnet Rock). Their stakes-placed dam, Face Of The Earth (Strategic), is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Bring Me Roses (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Group 3 winner Face Value (Red Ransom {USA}). He was a $175,000 buy for his trainer out of the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Gold Coast, Race 5, 3.17pm AEST, GCTC Hall Of Fame - The Heinrich Family Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
The Tony Gollan-trained colt Devastating (Exceed And Excel) resumes here, having had just one start as a 2-year-old when fourth at the Sunshine Coast, where he was well-backed. He trialled well for his jockey here, Jim Byrne, recently, and was only narrowly beaten, indicating he shouldn't be long breaking his maiden.
Devastating as a yearling
He was a $425,000 yearling buy from the Newhaven Park draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Gollan, along with John Foote Bloodstock and Aquis Farm, whose colours he carries. He is out of the multiple stakes winner Testa Secret (Testa Rossa), who hails from a family which has produced G1 South Australian Derby winner Escado (Casino Prince) and Brazilian Group 1 winner Comandante Dodge (Brz) (Dodge {USA}).
Looking back
It was a tough day for our selections in Looking Ahead from Thursday, with Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice) finishing sixth, while Danish Lane (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Metzingen (Street Boss {USA}) both finished down the track.
