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 Sunday, we will begin the day with a blueblood Godolphin galloper on debut at Ballarat before turning our attention to a late maturing staying prospect in the fourth race at Ballarat.
We will round out the day in the second event at Wellington with a son of Fastnet Rock.
Ballarat, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Pipe Pro Directional Drilling 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Victims, 3-year-old filly (Medaglia D’Oro {USA} x Forensics {Flying Spur})
The James Cummings-trained Victims makes her debut after five disappointing trials to date. She first trialled at Canterbury in December 2020 and was last seen in August last year when beaten 10.6l at Warwick Farm
John Allen has been booked to ride Victims and will partner her from barrier five of eight.
A Godolphin homebred, Victims is out of the G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning Forensics, who has produced three winner’s from four runners to date.
Victims | Image courtesy of Inglis
The G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S.-winning, G1 Doomben 10,000-placed Derryn features in the second generation of this pedigree while G1 Sires’ Produce S. hero Snippets and the dual Group 1-winning King’s Legacy feature alongside G1 Flight S. heroine Oohood (I Am Invincible) in the third generation.
G1 The Galaxy H. runner-up Big Parade (Deep Field) and Champion Sire Not A Single Doubt also feature in the third generation of this pedigree.
Ballarat, Race 4, 2.05pm AEST, Porter Plant Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Keyless Go, 4-year-old gelding (More Than Ready {USA} x Dane Belltar {Danewin})
The Lindsey Smith-trained Keyless Go makes his long awaited debut for connections after finishing second in a jump-out at Penshurst.
He’s bred to get over further ground and will likely be working home out wide under Jarrod Fry after drawing the widest of all runners, barrier 10.
Keyless Go | Image courtesy of Inglis
A $225,000 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Peter Ho, Keyless Go is out of the G3 Auraria S.-winning, G1 VRC Oaks and G1 Australasian Oaks-placed Dane Belltar, making him a half-brother to the three-time Group 1-winning Fawkner (Reset {GB}), the dual Group 2-winning Tanby (Galileo {Ire}) and the Group 2-placed Viking Star (Red Ransom {USA}).
Dane Belltar’s grandam is the G1 VRC Oaks-winning Taj Eclipse (Taj Rossi).
Wellington, Race 2, 12pm AEST, Wellington Sand & Gravel Mdn Plate, $24,000, 1100m
Oakfield King, 3-year-old gelding (Fastnet Rock x Fastongrass {USA} {Storm Cat {USA}})
The Damien Lane-trained Oakfield King has performed fairly in three trials to date, with the most recent of those result in a fourth-placing at Beaudesert over 820 metres.
Grant Buckley has been booked to ride Oakfield King and will partner the gelding from a favourable draw, barrier five.
A $390,000 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Bruce McKenzie, Oakfield King is out of American Listed winner Fastongrass (USA), whose three foals to race have all won.
Oakfield King | Image courtesy of Inglis
Shane Nichols Racing and Hollymount Stud purchased Fastongrasses’ filly by Merchant Navy for $120,000 at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Fastongrass’ grandam was successful at Group 1 level in America and is responsible for G2 Atlantic City Matchmaker S. winner Alice Springs (USA) (Val De L’Orne {Fr}).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Atlantis Tycoon (Written Tycoon) was victorious on debut at Caulfield while our second selection Brereton (Zoustar) ran third at Eagle Farm.
Our final selection, Eureka Storm (Written Tycoon) finished fourth at Wodonga.
