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.
For racing on Friday, we have found a couple of 3-year-olds and a 2-year-old that are well-related. We kick off at Pakenham on the synthetic with the daughter of a Group 1 winner, who resumes after a long break. From there, we head north to the Sunshine Coast, where a Spirit Of Boom juvenile is on debut, before a filly by All Too Hard steps out for the first time.
Pakenham-Synthetic, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Plusvital Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Navy Girl, 3-year-old filly (Merchant Navy x Platelet {Strategic})
Cressfield Thoroughbreds bred this filly and then offered her at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/CB Bloodstock for $130,000.
The filly is the third foal of a former top-class mare, who won 10 races, including two at the highest level.
Navy Girl as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Navy Girl’s second dam is the two-time winner Bloodline (Dracula) and she herself is a half-sister to the Group 2 placegetter Grand Britannia (Dash For Cash).
The 3-year-old, who races in the Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock silks, will be looking to improve on her debut where she finished seventh in a field of nine in a Bendigo maiden back in May last year
Ben Allen has the ride in a race that looks very winnable.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 2.17pm AEST, Sunshine Coast Flooring Xtra QTIS 2YO H., $30,000, 1000m
Defiant Spirit, 2-year-old gelding (Spirit Of Boom x Defiant Dame {More Than Ready {USA}})
Black Soil Bloodstock bred this gelding who was consigned by Eureka Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. After initially being passed in, he was purchased by Kendrick Racing/Archer Park for $100,000.
Defiant Spirit as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Defiant Spirit is the sixth living foal of the 2010 Listed Gimcrack S. heroine and she is a half-sister to the Group 3 scorer Hidden Warrior (Hidden Dragon) and the stakes performer Sea Spur (Flying Spur).
This gelding is a half-brother to Grand Cross (Fastnet Rock), who has been victorious on 19 occasions throughout Australia and Asia.
The Stuart Kendrick-trained juvenile, who won his latest trial on May 2, will be partnered by Ben Thompson.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 2.57pm AEST, 24/7 Agents QTIS 3YO Mdn H., $30,000, 1000m
That’s Too Hard, 3-year-old filly (All Too Hard x Secretary Bird {Testa Rossa})
This Gerry Harvey-bred filly was a member of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was knocked down to John Symons for $55,000.
All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud
She is the fourth living foal of a winless mare who is a sister to the Listed victress Testa Secret.
The filly is closely related to the stakes winners Pleasant Secret (USA) (Pleasant Tap {USA}), Escado (Casino Prince) and Se Sauver (Bel Esprit).
Trained by Symons and Sheila Laxon, the filly will be handled by Nikita Beriman.
Looking Back
Following the scratching of World Alliance (Rubick), we were left with just the one runner on Thursday, Luai (Epaulette), and he finished third on debut at Wyong.
