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 kick off with Haather (Pariah) who will attempt to make a winning debut at Hawkesbury and we then turn our attention to Race 2 at the New South Wales venue with Secret Hunter (Shalaa {Ire}) looking to get off the mark at his fifth attempt. The day is completed by British-bred juvenile Farhh Flung (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who will be out to shed his maiden status on his third start.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Blakes Marine 2YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Haather, 2-year-old colt (Pariah x Dream Cirque {Dream Ahead {USA}})
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Haather makes his debut over 1400 metres at Hawkesbury and he will break from barrier five with Tommy Sherry booked to take the ride.
Pariah is the sire of Haather | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Bred and raced by Emirates Park, Haather is out of unraced mare Dream Cirque (Dream Ahead {USA}) and she is also the dam of G2 VRC Sires’ Produce winner Lightsaber (Zoustar).
Should the juvenile be successful on Sunday, he would become the fifth first-season winner for Arrowfield Stud-based sire Pariah, whose first-crop progeny includes Group 2 winner Swiss Exile.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Davo’s Dash 3YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Secret Hunter, 3-year-old gelding (Shalaa {Ire} x The Huntress {Husson {Arg}})
Having the fifth start of his career, Secret Hunter attempts to break through for his first victory and he will do so from barrier 11 with Jean Van Overmeire booked to take the ride.
Secret Hunter as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Purchased by his trainer for $180,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2020, Secret Hunter is out of Listed winner and Group 3-placed mare The Huntress (Husson {Arg}) and her other two foals to race have both been winners.
Further back this gelding is from the same family as the talented pair, Group 1 winner Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) and Special Alert (Not A Single Doubt).
Swan Hill, Race 2, 12.15pm AEST, Ultima Hotel 2&3YO Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1600m
Farhh Flung, 2-year-old gelding (Farhh {GB} x Flycatcher {Ire} {Medicean {GB}})
Danny O’Brien has a knack for sourcing European-bred horses at the sales in the Northern Hemisphere and he will be hoping Farhh Flung can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Russian Camelot (Ire) when he lines up for this third career start at Swan Hill on Sunday.
Farhh Flung (GB) pictured as a yearling | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Purchased by his trainer and Jeremy Brummit for 130,000gns (AU$238,000) at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Farhh Flung will jump from barrier four with Liam Riordan booked to take the ride.
The gelding is out of winning Medicean (GB) mare Flycatcher (Ire) and she has produced one winner and she is herself a half-sister to Listed scorer Rosa Grace (GB) (Lomitas {GB}) and stakes-placed Secret Night (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Never Fails (Hellbent) finished sixth on his second start at Randwick, 2.54l off the winner, while the James Cummings-trained Suez (Astern) finished seventh on debut at Newcastle. The day was capped off by Vampi At Play (Playing God) and she ran second on her career debut at Belmont.
