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 Tuesday, we like the chances of a Deep Field filly breaking her maiden and a daughter of El Roca continuing her winning form. At Kyneton, a son of Capitalist showed enough on debut to warrant support again.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1.55pm AEDT, The Prince of Merewether H., $35,000, 900m
Field Wiri (Deep Field) turned in two promising efforts during her first preparation and finished a debut fourth at Hawkesbury before finishing runner-up at Kembla Grange. She has had a couple of trials since returning to Richard and Michael Freedman’s stable and has drawn ideally in gate three to make a winning return.
Field Wiri as a yearling
The filly was purchased by her trainers and Rick Connolly Bloodstock for $200,000 out of Bhima Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is the first foal of the winning I Am Invincible mare Katswiri, a sister to the Listed Wylie H. winner Holy Blade and their dam Amphritite was successful in the Listed Gimcrack S. Further back in the pedigree is the hot young sire and G1 All Aged S. winner Tivaci and the G1 Toorak H. winner Allez Wonder (Redoute’s Choice).
Newcastle, Race 4, 3.45pm AEDT, Sharp Office H., $35,000, 1300m
The wait for Norwegian Bliss (NZ) (El Roca) proved worthwhile when the Nathan Doyle-trained 4-year-old was successful at the first time of asking at Port Macquarie last month. She was at short odds off the back of a trial victory and had no trouble justifying her favouritism and in a style that strongly suggested she will have no trouble coping with a rise in class here.
Norwegian Bliss is raced by breeder Gerry Harvey after she failed to meet her reserve at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is a daughter of the unraced Ballyalla (Encosta De Lago), who is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Shogun Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}), the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Singing The Blues (Bluebird {USA}) and the G1 George Ryder S. winner Referral (Dr Grace {NZ}).
Kyneton, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, bet365 Top Tote Plus Mdn, $25,000, 1218m
The Three Bridges Thoroughbreds-offered Yishay (Capitalist) was bought at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000 by Anthony Freedman Racing and Blue Sky Bloodstock. He is the first foal of the G2 Matriarch S. winner Jessy Belle (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and second dam Flitter (NZ) (Bluebird {USA}) was a two-time Group 1 winner. It is also the family of the G2 Sandown Guineas and G3 Carbine Club S. winner Ringerdingding (Sebring).
Yishay as a yearling
Yishay made his first appearance at Moe where the 3-year-old dropped well back in the running from a wide barrier and made ground steadily to finish fourth. He handled the Heavy 9 track there well enough so conditions here are unlikely to bother him and has drawn a lot better in barrier two. Damien Thornton will again take the reins.
Looking Back
On Sunday, Tramontana (Toronado {Ire}) finished runner-up at Ballarat and at the same venue Flying Artist (Flying Artie) ran fifth while at Newcastle, fourth was the best Forms Of Fear (Written Tycoon) could do.
