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 early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Friday. An Almanzor (Fr) filly looks to break through at Pukekohe, while Starspangledbanner and Rich Enuff geldings chase maiden success at Cranbourne.
Pukekohe, Race 7, 2.25pm AEDT (4.25pm local), TAB Maiden, $25,000, 1600m
Daring Dame, 3-year-old filly (Almanzor {Fr} x Game Duchess {Montjeu {Ire}})
The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced Daring Dame (NZ) is poised to break through at start number three at Pukekohe on Friday. The Almanzor (Fr) filly has run two solid placings in her career so far-at Te Aroha and Matamata-and looks hard to beat in this event if her jockey, Warren Kennedy, can get some luck in running from a wide barrier.
Her dam, Game Duchess (Montjeu {Ire}) was only placed on the track but she has made her mark as a broodmare. She has left seven individual winners with the best of them being the Group-winning fillies Dark Princess (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}) and Exquisite Jewel (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn).
Almanzor (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud
Daring Dame is very well-related, she is a descendant of the famed matriarch Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}). There are so many successful Group-performers within her pedigree including Don Eduardo (NZ), Kaapstad (NZ), Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Viscount, Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Viking Ruler, Kempinsky, De Beers, and Gift Of Power (Power {GB}).
Daring Dame was unfortunately Game Duchess’s last foal, she has done a wonderful job over a number of years. After her racing career, there is no doubt that Daring Dame will join Cambridge Stud’s outstanding batch of broodmares.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 6.15pm AEDT, Hygain Tracktorque Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Unifies, 3-year-old gelding (Starspangledbanner x White House Lady {Commands})
Friday’s Cranbourne meeting is the venue for Unifies (Starspangledbanner) to have his second start over 1200 metres for Pakenham-based trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. He ran an honest third on debut on the Caulfield-Heath track on February 25 behind the talented Appointed (NZ) (Super Seth) over 1000 metres.
Unifies as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Unifies is a son of the globetrotting sire Starspangledbanner and is out of White House Lady (Commands). She was a three-time winner and was placed at metropolitan level in Melbourne.
Unifie’s grandam, Jacqueline Rouge (Ne Coupez Pas {USA}) was a six-time winner including in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile.
White House Lady since producing Unifies, has left a 2-year-old filly named Juxtapose (Impending), and was served by Anders last spring after having a bit of bad luck the two breeding seasons prior.
Unifies was withdrawn from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Cranbourne, Race 4, 7.45pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Owners Bonus Maiden, $40,000, 1400m
Chest Of Gold, 3-year-old gelding (Rich Enuff x Golden Future {Mossman})
The Julius Sandhu-trained Chest Of Gold (Rich Enuff) will be making his third start at Cranbourne on Friday over 1400 metres in the hands of Beau Mertens.
Chest Of Gold as a weanling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This promising son of Rich Enuff has had two previous starts and brings very strong form lines to the juvenile event. On debut he ran a solid second behind Astral Flame (Overshare) at Pakenham and then at his second start he ran a very brave 4th, only beat 1.17l in the $300,000 Sportsbet Future Stars Series Final behind the very promising colt Nostringsattached (Extreme Choice). In that same race Astral Flame also ran second, so the form looks reliable and very strong.
Chest Of Gold is out of the placed mare Golden Future (Mossman), she is a half-sister to Dan De Lago. The South African Group 3-winning colt and now sire and is out of The Golden Dane (Danehill {USA}) who was a dual-Listed winner and went on to leave nine individual winners as a broodmare.
Golden Future, since producing Chest Of Gold, has left a Rubick yearling filly and she was served last spring by General Beau.
Chest Of Gold was a value purchase at only $12,000 from the draft of Makybe at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Looking Back
The Right Page (Pierro) - ran a great race for second at Wangaratta, she pushed the favourite close and should improve off that effort.
Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) - was impressive running an eye-catching second on debut, he ran on strongly along the inside and should be winning a maiden race soon.
Scintillante (NZ) (Savabeel) - ran a solid fourth resuming at Pakenham. He ran like he will appreciate stepping up in trip.
