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.
Two well-bred fillies from leading stables will make their debuts on Sunday.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Sam Miranda Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
It’s A Lock In, 2-year-old filly (Russian Revolution x Key Bar Nights {Anabaa {USA}})
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, It’s A Lock In makes her debut at Ballarat on Sunday. Running in the colours of Australian Bloodstock, she was a $100,000 purchase for the syndicator, her trainers and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) at last year’s 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
It's A Lock In as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She’s out of Key Bar Nights, an Anabaa (USA) mare who won a Listed race as a juvenile and was also Group 2-placed, and is the half-sister to Group 2 scorer Dynamic Love (Brave Warrior). Also a Listed-winning juvenile is It’s A Lock In’s half-brother, Barbed (Canny Lad).
She will jump from barrier four on Sunday under Jake Noonan.
Sunshine Coast, Race 3, 12.15pm AEST, Access Insulation Sunshine Coast QTIS 2YO Mdn Plate, 1000m
Hearts Are Racing, 2-year-old filly (Hellbent x Hoss Amor {General Nediym})
Making her debut for leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, Hearts Are Racing sports the white and green colours of the late Alan Acton and his wife Jennifer Acton and was purchased by the pair at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $460,000.
Hearts Are Racing as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Out of the Listed winner Hoss Amor (General Nediym), she is a half-sister to Quantico (I Am Invincible), the G3 Southern Cross S. winner. Her only other sibling to race is the six-time winner Poetic Charmer (Your Song), whilst her third dam is the G1 Golden Slipper placegetter Loving Cup (Bluebird {USA}).
After a pair of trials, in which she’s looked to know her job well enough, she will be ridden by Damien Thornton on Sunday, with the pair to jump from barrier six.
Looking Back
Saturday's selection fared okay. Isthmus (I Am Invincible) was placed at Flemington but Worth Avenue (Trapeze Artist) and Irene's Best (Pierro) were both unplaced at Kembla Grange.
