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 the first race at Donald, where the Godolphin-raced Alibey (Golden Horn {GB}) will be looking to get off the mark at the first time of asking. Our next selection is Tisani Boom (Spirit Of Boom), who will be out to make an immediate impact at Warwick. Our final selection is Halston (Sebring) and he will be attempting to shed his maiden status on his first attempt in the second race at Donald.
Donald, Race 1, 11.45am AEST, Donald Motor Lodge Super Vobis 2YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1204m
Alibey, 2-year-old colt (Golden Horn {GB} x Alternatively {GB} {New Approach {Ire}})
Darley’s G1 Epsom Derby-winning sire Golden Horn (GB) will have only his eighth starter in Australia when the James Cummings-trained Alibey takes his chance in the first race at Donald on Sunday.
Alibey will be out to make an immediate impression on debut and he will be ridden by Craig Newitt and will jump from barrier nine.
Golden Horn has sired four winners in Australia and Alibey is out of the unraced mare Alternatively (GB), while further back this is the same family as Group 1 winner Danelagh (Danehill {USA}).
Danelagh herself produced multiple Hong Kong Group 1 winner Vengeance Of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and G1 Australian Oaks winner Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}) - the dam of G1 VRC Oaks scorer Pinot (Pierro) and Listed winner Dizlago (Encosta De Lago).
Warwick, Race 1, 12.00pm AEST, Grove Juice Mdn Plate, $8500, 800m
Tisani Boom, 3-year-old gelding (Spirit Of Boom x Avenel {Scenic {Ire}})
The Kevin Kemp-trained Tisani Boom will be looking to keep the stallion’s good form intact when he lines up in the first race at Warwick on Sunday. The gelding will be making his debut under Karl Zechner and they have been drawn in barrier nine.
Tisani Boom is out of the unraced Scenic (Ire) mare Avenel, making him a three-quarter brother to Listed winner Calienta (Sequalo).
Meanwhile, the gelding derives from the same family as prolific Group 2 winner Staging (Success Express {USA}), the dam of Group 1-winning duo Excites and Duporth as well as Group 2 winner Tickets.
Donald, Race 2, 12.25pm AEST, Donald Steel Metaland Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1204m
Halston, 2-year-old colt (Sebring x In Style {NZ} {Fast ‘N’ Famous})
Well-bred colt Halston will be looking to get off the mark at the first attempt when he lines up at Donald on Sunday.
Trained by Peter Moody, the 2-year-old is set to be ridden by Billy Egan and they have been drawn in barrier six.
Purchased by Tony Fung Investments for $950,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Halston is out of Group 1 winner In Style (NZ), making him a half-brother to dual Group 3-placed Total Babe (I Am Invincible), while further back this is the same family as Group 3 winner Surpass (NZ) (Savabeel).
Looking Back
Our first selection on Saturday, He's Heaven (Zoustar), was scratched before the race, while our second selection, Mama’s Man (Heroic Valour), finished fifth and our final pick, Honey Pot (Spirit Of Boom) finished another good second at black-type level for the second time in her career.
