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.
Three promising types by Lonhro, Too Darn Hot (GB) and Shamus Award are chasing maiden success on Friday.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1112m
Cabriole, 3-year-old gelding (Lonhro x Flit {Medaglia D’Oro {USA})
The well-related Cabriole (Lonhro) is set to chase maiden success for Anthony and Sam Freedman and owners Godolphin at start number three at Geelong over 1112 metres.
He ran a very good third on debut behind Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) who has gone on to win two Group 1 races back in June, then he ran another good third behind St Edward (I Am Invincible) at Moonee Valley in October.
After that run he had a nice break and has prepared for this resuming run with two winning efforts and a second placing at the Cranbourne jump-outs last month.
Lonhro | Image courtesy of Darley
Cabriole is the first foal from the Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Flit. She was a very talented four-time winner on the track, including in the G1 Thousand Guineas, G2 Light Fingers Stakes, G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and the Silver Eagle.
Flit is very well-related being out of the Group 3-placed Glissade (Redoute’s Choice), and a half-sister to the stakes placed Flow (Street Cry {USA}), and Speedway (Street Cry {USA}) who is the dam of the outstanding Champion 2-year-old and now sire Broadsiding, who was a winner at the elite level in the G1 Champagne Stakes, G1 Golden Rose, G1 Rosehill Guineas, and the G1 JJ Atkins Plate.
Flit since producing Cabriole, has produced a 2-year-old filly called Scoot (Street Boss {USA}), a weanling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), and was subsequently served by Too Darn Hot again last spring.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 3, 6.15pm AEDT, Computer Talk - Business I.T Experts Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1600m
Kissattack, 3-year-old filly (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Geblitzt {Testa Rossa})
The Danny O’Brien-trained Kissattack (Too Darn Hot {GB}) makes her debut over the mile distance at Cranbourne on Friday. The well-bred filly is bred to stay and has plenty of jump-out experience leading into this debut assignment.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
Kissattack is a half-sister to the G1 Melbourne Cup hero Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}), and is out of the five-time winner Geblitzt (Testa Rossa).
As well as leaving the Melbourne Cup winner, Geblitzt has left the G3 South Australia Fillies Classic winner Litzdeel (Dundeel {NZ}) and the Listed winning stayer Lycurgus (Star Witness).
The last foal out of Geblitzt, is a yearling filly by Tiger Of Malay named Champawat.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 3, 6.15pm AEDT, Computer Talk - Business I.T Experts Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1600m
Set Me Free, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Unchain My Heart {Al Maher})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Set Me Free (Shamus Award) makes her second start at Cranbourne on Friday over 1600 metres. She ran a very good second on debut at Geelong behind Justique (Justify {USA}).
Set Me Free is out of the very good staying mare Unchain My Heart (Al Maher), she was a 10-time winner, including the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes twice and the Listed Bagot Handicap.
Shamus Award | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Set Me Free’s grandam Fly By Night (Prince Of Birds {USA}) was also a handy middle-distance type winning four times and running fourth in the G1 Australian Oaks as a 3-year-old filly.
Going by pedigree and the fact that she is by Shamus Award, there is every indication that Set Me Free will develop into a better filly over ground, but the mile does look an ideal distance second-up.
Unchain My Heart, in recent times, has left a yearling filly by Nicconi, before she was retired from stud last year.
Looking Back:
Fernweh (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) - Ran an okay second, having every chance at Gosford.
Cushioned (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) - Gained a very deserved maiden win at Pakenham, she is astaying filly of some promise.
Humble Trader (Hanseatic) - Was a narrow but impressive winner at Pakenham.
