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.
On Saturday, we kick things off in the juvenile feature at Randwick with a sister to the recently announced Newgate Farm stallion before backing up into the next event on Day One of the Championships by the way of a lightly raced Hermitage Thoroughbreds-owned galloper.
We round out the day in the lucrative VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo, with an expensive son of Shalaa (Ire).
Randwick, Race 1, 12.10pm AEDT, G3 Widden Kindergarten S., $200,000, 1100m
Asteria, 2-year-old filly (Capitalist x Athena Lass {Snitzel})
The Mark Newnham-trained Asteria looks to possess the same speed as her precocious and highly talented brother Profiteer, having won her only two trials to date by 3.5l and 0.8l respectively, with the most recent over 1050 metres on a rain-affected Randwick surface.
Rachel King has been booked to ride and should have no problems crossing from barrier nine of 11 based on the early toe that Asteria has. If she can relax expect her to prove ultra-competitive.
Asteria as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A $375,000 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Laurel Oak Bloodstock from the draft of Newgate Farm, Asteria is the third foal out of the Group 3-placed Athena Lass, making her a sister to the R. Listed Inglis Millennium winner turned Newgate stallion Profiteer.
Athena Lass herself is a half-sister to the Listed-winning Eurayle (Lonhro). Her G1 Flight S.-winning grandam Danglissa (Danzero) is responsible for the dam of R. Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unite And Conquer (Hinchinbrook).
G1 New Zealand Derby third placegetter and leading G1 Australian Derby contender Regal Lion (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) features in this family.
Randwick, Race 2, Fujitsu General Carbine Club S., $200,000, 1600m
Straight Arron, 3-year-old gelding (Fastnet Rock x Imperial Lass {NZ} {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Chris Waller-trained Straight Arron will relish the extra distance on offer after two quality showings over 1400 metres to start his career.
A winner at Sandown on debut, Straight Arron backed that performance up with a second at Warwick Farm, where he ticked the Heavy track box when hitting the line with intent to be beaten only 0.8l.
Straight Arron as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
James McDonald will retain the ride and will be required to overcome the far outside draw, barrier nine.
Purchased by Chris Waller Racing for $270,000 from the draft of his breeders Torryburn Stud at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, the Hermitage Thoroughbreds-owned Straight Arron is the second foal out of the G1 Queensland Oaks-placed Imperial Lass, who is a half-sister to the Group 2-winning, dual Group 1-placed La Sizeranne (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Bendigo, Race 3, 1.35pm AEDT, Apiam Animal Health VOBIS Gold Rush, $250,000, 1000m
Shalaman, 2-year-old colt (Shalaa {Ire} x Our Daisy {Commands})
The Matt Laurie-trained Shalaman profiles as the horse to beat in this event after finishing second behind subsequent G2 VRC Sires' Produce S. winner Let’srollthedice (Dundeel {NZ}) on debut at this track over 1100 metres.
The 100 metre drop back in trip is no knock with Shalaman having led and stuck on well when beaten by the aforementioned Danny O’Brien-trained Let’srollthedice.
Shalaman as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A $700,000 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase by Bahen Bloodstock and Matt Laurie Racing from the draft of Yulong, Shalaman is the second foal out of the three-time winning Our Daisy, who herself is out of an unraced half-sister to New Zealand Group 1 winner Emerald Dream (Danehill {USA}).
Star Newgate Farm stallion Deep Field and his G1 Caulfield Guineas-winning brother turned Darley stallion Shooting To Win feature in the second generation of this family along with their stakes-winning half-sister Zaniah (Zoustar) and the G3 Proud Miss S.-winning She’s So High (I Am Invincible).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Writose (Written Tycoon) finished fourth at Muswellbrook on debut.
Our second selection Don't Hesitate (Snitzel) broke his maiden status at Geelong while our third selection, Count Of Toulouse (Lonhro) was scratched from the second event at Cranbourne.
