Looking Ahead highlights runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally well-bred or high-priced runner early in their career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Two exciting runners are looking for success across Australia on Sunday. A promising Ardrossan filly chases maiden success at Port Macquarie, and a well-bred I Am Invincible gelding resumes at Ballarat.
Port Macquarie, Race 4, 1.46pm AEDT, Elliot Loves Horses Super Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1200m
Namara (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ardrossan x La Donna (NZ) {Per Incanto {USA})
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will prepare the promising filly Namara (NZ), to make her fourth start at Port Macquarie on Sunday over 1200 metres.
She has run three great races in her career so far, placing third each time. She has since had a break, and a couple of trials to prepare herself for this first up assignment.
Ardrossan | Standing at Waikato Stud
Namara is by Waikato Stud’s Ardrossan and is out of the Per Incanto (USA) mare La Donna (NZ), she only ran once on the track but is a three-quarter-sister to Rocanto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who was a 10-time winner including the Listed Matamata Slipper as a juvenile, he trained on to be a tough and durable older gelding.
The family is a little quiet of black-type up close in the page but there are some lovely stallion influences within the page including Street Cry (Ire), Redoute’s Choice, Last Tycoon (Ire), Canny Lad, Miswaki (USA), Try My Best (USA), Halo (USA) and Seattle Slew (USA).
La Donna since producing Namara, has produced a 2-year-old colt by Ardrossan named Gold Patch (NZ), a weanling colt by Banquo, and was served again by Ardrossan last spring.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, Peter Tobin Funerals Maiden Plate, $50,000, 1100m
El Calafate, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Kononkop {Arg} {Pure Prize {USA}})
El Calafate (I Am Invincible) is set to have his third start at Ballarat over 1100 metres for trainer’s Anthony and Sam Freedman on Sunday. His form looks average, but after a break and a couple of trials an improved performance would not surprise.
His dam is Kononkop (Arg) (Pure Prize {USA}) who was a Champion 2-year-old filly in Argentina, and was a four-time winner, including twice at Group 1 level.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
Kononkop is a half-sister to Koller (Arg) (Orpen {USA}) who was a three-time Group 2 winner in Argentina, and she is out of Korea (USA) (Sourthern Halo {USA}) who won four times, including at Listed level in Argentina.
Since producing El Calafate, Kononkop has produced yearling and weanling colts by Home Affairs, and unfortunately missed to Tassort last spring.
Looking Back
Gobi Desert (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - was unfortunately scratched from her race at Randwick.
Beadman (Snitzel) - was a dominant winner, leading all of the way at Newcastle. The well-bred colt looks like he could make his mark at stakes level off that effort.
Bohemian Art (Deep Field) - ran a very solid race for second on debut at Newcastle, she only peaked late and should improve off that effort.
