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 Saturday, we like the chances at Randwick of a Sebring filly emulating her dam’s black-type efforts and at Newcastle we like an I Am Invincible colt on his return to action. At Bendigo, a juvenile son of Snitzel has commanded out attention.
Randwick, Race 4, 2.15pm AEDT, Listed Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Quality, $140,000, 1400m
Fangirl (Sebring) is from a family that Chris Waller knows well, having trained the filly’s talented mother Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago). She won three Listed events, including an edition of this race, and was placed at Group 3 level. She is a daughter of the three-time Group 1 winner Special Harmony (Spinning World {USA}) and the family also features the Group 2-winning brothers Redwoldt (King Of Kings {Ire}) and King Canute.
Owned by breeder Ingham Racing, Fangirl has made pleasing progress and was in the money in her first two appearances before she romped to a 5l victory over this distance at Goulburn. She looks more than capable of making her presence felt at black-type level in the hands of James McDonald.
Newcastle, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, The Prince Of Merewether H., $35,000, 1200m
The John O’Shea-prepared I Am Lethal (I Am Invincible) makes a fresh start here after finishing fourth in his only appearance at Warwick Farm last season. He has been given a couple of lead-up trials and he looks a colt to follow as he also boasts a deep pedigree.
I Am Lethal as a yearling
He was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Kitchwin Hills and was knocked down for $250,000 to O’Shea, who trained the dam Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) to win the G1 Coolmore Classic and the G2 Breeders’ Classic twice. She is out of a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}).
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.34pm AEDT, bet365 Racing Refunds Plate, $25,000, 1000m
Sketched (Snitzel) was purchased by co-trainer Mick Price for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by breeder Yulong, who has remained in the ownership group. He is the first representative of the unraced Caricature (USA) (Dubawi {Ire}) to make an appearance and the dam is a half-sister to the G3 Strensall S. winner City Style (USA) (City Zip {USA}), who was also a three-time Group 1 placegetter.
Sketched as a yearling
The family also includes North American black-type winners Sweet Monarch (USA) (Wavering Monarch {USA}) and Mount Asgard (USA) (Sky Mesa {USA}). To be ridden by Patrick Moloney, Sketched has the benefit of the inside barrier and in a small field, he has a gilt-edged opportunity to make the perfect start to his career.
Looking Back
Order Of Glory (Squamosa) finished on well for third at Pakenham where our other fancy Madam Mayhem (Into Michief {USA}) was scratched, as was our Ipswich selection Inasec (Spirit Of Boom).
