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.
It’s Cup Day at Benalla and the support card is very strong, especially the maidens. We’ve found a couple of well-bred 3-year-olds from the Godolphin barn that will debut, as well as a sister to a two-time Group 1 winner.
Benalla, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Benalla Timber Products 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1206m
Quickster, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Special Favour {General Nediym})
This filly is a homebred for Rosemont Stud and she is a sister to its classy galloper Mr Quickie, a dual Group 1 winner.
Shamus Award | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Quickster’s dam won at 2200 metres and is a half-sister to the Listed scorer Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock).
The filly’s second dam, My Tusker (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), won in Group 2 company on three occasions.
Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Quickster will be handled on debut by Luke Nolen.
Benalla, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, Marshalls + Dent + Wilmoth Lawyers Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1206m
Frottoir, 3-year-old colt (Ribchester {Ire} x Zydeco {Zabeel {NZ}})
A homebred for Godolphin, this colt is the fifth foal from a Group 1 heroine. The best of those progeny is the stakes performer Chenier (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). Zydeco is out of a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner All Our Mob (What A Guest {Ire}) and the Group 2 scorer All Archie (Archregent {Can}).
Ribchester (Ire) | Standing at Haunui Farm
The colt’s grandam, All Time High (Flying Spur), was victorious in the G1 Thousand Guineas in 2000.
The James Cummings-trained Frottoir, who heads into his debut after four trials, will be piloted by Billy Egan.
Benalla, Race 3, 1.45pm AEST, Specsavers Benalla Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1606m
Establish, 3-year-old filly (Dundeel {NZ} x Sindarin {Redoute’s Choice})
Another homebred for Godolphin, this filly is from a three-time winner and Listed placegetter who is a sister to the Group 3 winner Mearas and Runes (Redoute’s Choice) - the dam of the Group 3 victress Laburnum (Denman). Sindarin is also a three-quarter sister to the Group 1 heroine Anamato (Redoute’s Choice) - the dam of the recently retired nine-time elite-level champion Anamoe, as well as the Listed winner Anamba (GB) (Shamardal {USA}).
Dundeel (NZ) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
There’s a stack of other Group 1 winners on the filly’s page, including Drum (Marauding {NZ}), Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}), Dealer Principal (Flying Spur) and Genius And Evil (Marauding {NZ}).
The James Cummings-trained Establish, who was unplaced in two trials in New South Wales, will debut under Fred Kersley
Looking Back
Pajanti (Pierro) started favourite for her debut in Race 2 at Wyong, but she failed to finish in the money. In Race 5, Gold Academy (Zoustar) also missed the top three. Meanwhile, in Race 1 at Moe, Catalyse (Exceed And Excel) was unplaced on debut.
