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 that has trialled particularly well, we will aim to give you something to follow.
On Thursday, we kickstart proceedings with a progressive filly in the opening event at Muswellbrook before turning our attention to a high-rating son of Savabeel in the second race at Cranbourne. We will wrap up the day in the following contest at Cranbourne with a Group 2-placed son of Siyouni (Fr).
Muswellbrook, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, International Punters 3YO Mdn Plate, $24,000, 1280m
Healthy Beauty (Maurice {Jpn}) drops back from the provincials after finishing second at Goulburn on resumption. The John Sargent-trained filly will strip fitter for the run and is likely to relish the extra 80 metres on offer.
Healthy Beauty as a yearling
Healthy Beauty was passed in for $50,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale after failing to meet a reserve of $200,000 set by vendor Kilto Park Thoroughbreds.
She is out of the three-time winner Sunday Lady (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who herself is a half-sister to Listed Gimrack S. runner-up Mafia Miss (Mossman). G1 Goodwood Sussex S. winner Bigstone (GB) features in Sunday Lady’s third dam line.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 2pm AEST, AFC - Peter & Lavella Darose Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) should prove extremely hard to beat in this contest after running a narrow third behind the highly talented Sunfall (Zoustar) at Flemington earlier last month.
Forgot You (NZ) as a yearling
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper will appreciate stepping out over the mile for the first time after three consecutive starts at 1400 metres.
Bred by Garry Chittick, Forgot You is out of Simply You (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), who herself is out of G1 Sanglier S. and G1 Goodwood H. winner Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}). Simply You is also a three-quarter sibling to the G2 Stan Fox S. winner Rare Insight (NZ) (O'Reilly).
Glamour Puss herself is a half-sister to the G1 Doncaster H. and G1 George Ryder S. winner Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}).
Cranbourne, Race 3, 2.30pm AEST, Hygain Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Direct (Siyouni {Fr}) strikes a winnable maiden here after measuring up against the likes of Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}).
The Llyod Kennewell-trained 3-year-old should have the edge over the resuming Nice For What (Shalaa {Ire}) thanks to having two runs under his belt this time in.
Direct as a yearling
However, the only knock is that Joe Bowditch will be forced to overcome barrier 12 of 15.
A $400,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock P/L (FBAA), Direct is out of Upfront (USA) (War Front {USA}), who herself is out of G2 Curragh Blandford S. winner Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
G1 Deauville Prix Morny winner Dutch Art (GB) features in Up’s second dam line.
Looking Back
Our first selection, Growl (Written Tycoon) regressed from his debut second to finish fourth in the opening event at Sandown.
Our second selection, Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}) defied a drift in the market to salute on debut while our final selection Sooblond (Sooboog) remains a maiden after finishing third at Doomben.
