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’ll aim to give you something to follow.
For this issue, it’s a look at tomorrow’s racing at Cranbourne and the Sunshine Coast. A $575,000 colt by Pierro kicks things off for the Busittin and Young training team, before we swing up to the Sunshine Coast to see the full sister of star Duais (Shamus Award) on debut for David Vandyke. Then it is back to Cranbourne and to a So You Think (NZ) filly with an attention-grabbing name, and out of a stable and with jockey on board to match.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Frankston Sand Soil & Mini Mix Mdn Plate, $35,000 1200m
Pascero, 3-year-old colt (Pierro x Pass The Parcel {More Than Ready {USA}})
There’s little known about the debutant colt’s form, although he hit the line well for a second in a jump-out earlier this month. Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young clearly saw potential in the Pierro colt when they teamed with First Light Racing and Paul Willetts in 2020 to purchase him for $575,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Pascero as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pascero is a half-bother to Listed Chautauqua S. winner Express Pass (Wandjina) who was also Group 2-placed.
Pascero was in good company when impressive at his recent jump-out, that test narrowly won by Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) a G1 Blue Diamond runner who just missed in the Listed McKenzie S. for second.
Luke Currie has the ride on Pacero and will go from barrier 12.
Sunshine Coast, Race 6, 4.05pm AEDT (3.05pm local time), QTIS 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $26,000, 1000m
Amity Gal, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Meerlust {Johannesburg {USA}})
In a fillies' race with four debutants in it, it is hard to consider all eyes won’t be on the number one horse jumping from barrier two, Amity Gal, the full sister of G1 Queensland Oaks winner Duais.
Shamus Award | Standing at Rosemont Stud
She has to her name, three trials for two firsts and a second - only just edged out in that by Fierce Warrior (Better Than Ready) which won on debut, was fifth in the Listed Dalrello S. and had three wins to his name as a 3-year-old . Amity Gal also demands attention due to her trainer, David Vandyke, and jockey Ryan Maloney, who currently sits second on the Queensland Racing jockey premiership table.
Her dam, Meerlust, produced three winners in Duais, along with Group 3 winner and Group 2-placed Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince) and Amiche (Nicconi).
Cranbourne, Race 3, 2.10pm AEDT, NZB Karaka Yearling Sale Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Matron Bullwinkel, 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Erika {Blackfriars})
Matron Bullwinkel is the first of the dam’s three foals to race, the mare, a Tab Highway H. winner herself, with a yet to be named 2-year-old colt by Lonhro and a yearling filly by Pierro to come through.
With a name sure to get attention and jockey Jamie Kah setting off from the inside gate for the training team of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the debutante will be given every chance to score in what will be a competitive race.
Matron Bullwinkel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Jump-outs for the filly, bought by Ciaron Maher Racing at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $180,000, have looked the goods.
Looking Back
No winners from our Looking Ahead selections for the first day of the new year, but some honourable runs. Va Via (Astern) was second in the New Year Sprint at Flemington, while London (Capitalist) and Celestial Spirit (Zoustar) both ran fourth, at Randwick Kensington and Doomben, respectively.
