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 Sunday, we are keen on the chances at Geelong of a son of Reliable Man (GB), who will appreciate a step up in trip, and a Sebring filly who impressed on debut. At the Sunshine Coast, we are expecting a bold first-up effort from a daughter of Extreme Choice.
Geelong, Race 2, 2.10pm AEST, John Spence Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1512m
Man Of Heart (Reliable Man {GB}) was sold by breeder Musk Creek Farm at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $200,000 with trainer Danny O’Brien having the final say.
Man Of Heart pictured as a yearling
He is a half-brother to the G3 SAJC Chairman’s S. winner Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War {USA}) and their dam Cardiac (Encosta De Lago) was twice successful up to 1400 metres. She is a half-sister to the G1 VRC Oaks winner Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose daughter Miami Bound, also by Reliable Man {GB}), won the same race for O’Brien.
A lightly tried colt, Man Of Heart is now getting up to a distance that his pedigree will appreciate after he came from the back of the field last time out on this course to finish fifth over 1400 metres. The prospect of a decent track will also be in his favour and with Damian Lane booked for the ride, he makes strong appeal.
Geelong, Race 3, 2.45pm AEST, DMB Contracting Fillies’ Plate, $35,000, 1112m
The Peter Moody-trained Spring Valley (Sebring) produced a bold account on debut at Pakenham last month when she finished generously from a long way off the pace to finish runner-up. She is sure to be all the better for that experience and can go one better.
Spring Valley failed to meet her $150,000 reserve when offered at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and is raced by breeder Widden Stud with partners.
Spring Valley pictured as a yearling
She is a daughter of Valley Sweetheart (Show A Heart), a winner and black-type placegetter, and is a half-sister to the G3 Quezette S. winner Kiss A Rose (Sebring). Further back in the pedigree is the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner With Me (Covetous) and Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), successful in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 12.28pm AEST, MA & T Trading Maiden Plate, $24,000, 1000m
Extremist (Extreme Choice) was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by breeder Eureka Stud and was knocked down to trainer Rob Heathcote and Steve Morley Bloodstock for $35,000.
Extremist pictured as a yearling
By last season's Champion first season sire Extreme Choice half-brother to a pair of multiple winners, she is a daughter of the Johannesburg (USA) mare Rubinacci, who was successful on seven occasions. She is a half-sister to the former handy sprinter Maxisum (Choisir), the winner of six races and runner-up in the G2 QTC Cup.
Also close up in the pedigree is the G3 WATC Champion Fillies’ S. winner Spirited One (Verglas {Fr}) and Dr Sweet (King Cugat {USA}), a multiple Macau black-type winner.
Extremist finished a close sixth in her only appearance in the autumn and, following a break, drew attention to her first-up prospects with a smart trial win at Doomben. She has drawn a handy gate in barrier three and will also benefit from Leah Kilner’s 1.5kg claim.
Looking Back
At Newcastle, our top pick Californiasilencer (I Am Invincible) finished runner-up while our Randwick tip She’s All Class (I Am Invincible) ran sixth, and at Moonee Valley, Taunting (Brazen Beau) failed to race up to expectations and finished midfield.
