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 are in the camp at Gosford of a pair of 3-year-olds who look poised to improve on last-start seconds. At Mornington, we fancy the chances of a well-bred son of Capitalist on debut.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.20pm AEDT, Pluim Group Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Adios (Snitzel) has a gilt-edged opportunity to break his maiden here after runner-up finishes at his first two appearances for trainer Paul Messara. The 3-year-old went close to breaking through at Muswellbrook and Wyong, where he was beaten by subsequent Warwick Farm winner Battleton (Zoustar) and will surely go on better here.
Bred and raced by Arrowfield Stud, Adios is a son of Later Gator (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}), who won two races and placed in the Listed Black Opal S. She is out of a three-quarter sister to the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies) winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. placegetter World Peace (Danehill {USA}) and she is the dam of the G3 McNeil S. winner Chivalry (Street Cry {Ire}).
Snitzel, sire of Adios | Standing at Arrowfield
Gosford, Race 4, 3.10pm AEDT, Central Coast Granite H., $35,000, 1200m
The James Cummings-trained Steelsheen (Kermadec {NZ}) is a daughter of the two-time Group winner Wild Queen (Loup Savage {USA}), who has produced the Listed Chief De Beers winner Varda (Lonhro) and the dam of the G1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari (Lonhro) and the Listed Lonhro Plate winner and sire Telperion. Wild Queen is also a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner So Gorgeous (Brief Truce {USA}), the mother of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Sterling City (Nadeem).
Steelsheen did little on debut last season, but showed the benefit of a spell when she returned to finish a bold second at Newcastle. She was on the pace all the way there and should again be able to take up a handy sit from gate three and looks more than capable of opening her account in the hands of jockey Sam Clipperton.
Kermadec, sire of Steelsheen | Standing at Darley
Mornington, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Neds Toolbox Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Bankroll (Capitalist) had a quiet trial in late August at Cranbourne in a heat won by three-time winner Darceandermill (Lonhro) on a heavy track and has been given plenty of time to get over that. The colt has drawn the inside gate and with Damian Lane in the saddle they look a combination worth following.
Bred by Corumbene Stud, Bankroll is from a speedy family and is a half-brother to the Listed Fireball S. winner Samantha (Snitzel). Their dam Icedginger (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) is a half-sister to the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}), dam of the Listed Super Impose S. winner Villain (Carnegie {Ire}). It is also the family of Wager (Flying Spur), successful in the G2 Stan Fox S. and twice runner-up at Group 1 level.
Capitalist, sire of Bankroll | Standing at Newgate
Looking Back
Big Time Girl (Exceed And Excel) finished third at Sale where The Nephew (Wordsmith) was unplaced while Zetarita (Capitalist) wasn’t at her best at Rosehill and was out of the money.
