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 Thursday, two fillies from one of the best Australian families make their respective debuts at Ballarat and Hawkesbury, while a Street Boss (USA) filly steps out after a slick recent jump-out victory.
Ballarat, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Happy 40th Stew McLeod F&M Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
The Gerry Harvey-homebred filly Quraysha (I Am Invincible) makes her debut for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and carries plenty of expectations based on her pedigree. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Meuse (Snitzel) out of Group 3 winner Precious Lorraine (Encosta De Lago). That's one of the best families in the Studbook, with Precious Lorraine a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Manhattan Rain, with the blue hen Shantha's Choice (Canny Lad) this filly's third dam.
I Am Invincible, sire of Quraysha | Standing at Yarraman
Quraysha had a couple of recent jump-outs at Cranbourne and at her most recent, closed off quite well from back in the field to finish fourth. She gets the services of experienced jockey John Allen in this race.
Ballarat, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Interpath: 4CYTE Joint Heath F&M Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Based on a strong all-the-way jump-out win at Ballarat last month, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Speed Lover (Street Boss {USA}) is a filly who can live up to her name her on debut. She did it at both ends in that hitout, which is a good sign for beginning her career with a win in this race.
Speed Lover as a yearling
She cost McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock $160,000 through the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Amelia Park. Her dam, Amelia's Love (Blackfriars) is a half-sister to Group 3 and R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt) from the extended family of Group 1-placed mare Vain Queen (Artie Schiller {USA}).
Hawkesbury, Race 5, 3.35pm AEDT, Blakes Marine Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Savourer (Snitzel) hails from the same family as our other selection, Quraysha, and takes to the track for the first time for Richard and Michael Freedman off a recent impressive trial win at Rosehill. She is a half-sister to Listed winner Sangria (I Am Invincible) out of stakes-placed Quench The Thirst (Encosta De Lago).
Savourer as a yearling
Quench The Thirst is also a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Manhattan Rain and a sister to stakes winners Precious Lorraine and Lucky Raquie. This filly, who was a $330,000 purchase by the Freedman brothers from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, has Shantha's Choice as her third dam on both her paternal and maternal side. This breeding pattern has already produced a stakes winner in Meuse (Snitzel).
Looking back
Castile (Lonhro) ran a good race on his resumption, finishing third at Geelong. Field Legend (Snitzel) failed to make an impression on debut at Kensington, nor did Giverny (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) at Tauranga.
