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 3-year-olds by Dubawi (Ire) and I Am Immortal chase success at Cranbourne, while across the ditch, a consistent Almanzor (Fr) mare chases maiden success.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 2, 6.15pm AEST, Chef’s Hat Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1400m
Hierarchy, 3-year-old colt (Dubawi (Ire) x Colette (Ire) {Hallowed Crown})
The beautifully-bred son of Dubawi (Ire) in Hierarchy makes his second start at Cranbourne for owners Godolphin and trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
On debut he ran a fast-finishing third at Mornington over 1200 metres earlier this month, with the step up in distance and with that experience, he looks a great chance in the hands of Ethan Brown.
Dubawi (Ire) | Standing at Darley
Hierarchy is the first-foal out of the G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Empire Rose Stakes winner Colette (Hallowed Crown), who not only was a star on the track, she has a very strong pedigree.
Colette is a half-sister to the Listed winner Metastasio (Street Cry {Ire}) who has gone on to leave the triple Group 1-winner Beiwacht (Bivouac) and the Listed winner Gravina (Sebring). Another half-sister is Librettista (Elusive Quality {USA}) who has left the American Listed winner and Group 1-placed Frenzified (GB) (Yeats {Ire}).
Since producing Hierarchy, Colette has produced a 2-year-old colt named Capstone (Exceed And Excel) before she died not long after foaling.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 6, 8.15pm AEST, Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge - Heat 1 BM66 Handicap, $60,000, 955m
Lagunanini, 3-year-old filly (I Am Immortal x Niki Piki Milo (NZ) {Librettist {USA}})
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Lagunanini (I Am Immortal) chases her second career success on her home track on Friday night.
The well-bred filly won nicely on debut at Sale in March and subsequently failed in two strong races at her next two starts. She has since had a break and a couple of jump-outs to prepare herself for her resuming run over 955 metres in the hands of Michael Dee.
Lagunanini as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lagunanini is out of the smart Listed winning juvenile Niki Piki Milo (NZ) (Librettist {USA}), who has gone onto be a very good broodmare leaving the smart Mcgaw (I Am Immortal) who has won the G2 Danehill Stakes and the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown among her four winners.
Niki Piki Milo is also well-related being a half-sister to four stakes-placed horses including the dual G1 Telegraph placegetter Navigator (NZ) (El Roca).
Niki Piki Milo, in recent times, has produced a Supido 2-year-old filly, and was due to foal to I Am Immortal earlier this month.
Lagunanini was purchased by Busuttin Racing for $160,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Te Rapa, Race 2, 10.35am AEST (12.35pm local), Cambridge Stud Maiden, NZ$25,000, 1400m
Kalgarry Ally, 4-year-old mare (Almanzor (Fr) x Chesapeake (NZ) {Per Incanto {USA}})
The Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained Kalgarry Ally (Almanzor {Fr}) chases maiden success at Te Rapa on Friday over 1400 metres in the hands of Craig Grylls.
She has been in consistent form lately placing in her last four starts at Pukekohe, Te Rapa and Te Aroha and looks a good chance to break through for maiden success.
Kalgarry Ally as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Kalgarry Ally is out of the unraced Per Incanto (USA) mare Chesapeake (NZ), who has proved herself at stud leaving the G2 Wellington Guineas winner Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and the four-time winner Big Wave (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).
This is also the extended family of the outstanding 14-time Group 1 winner Goldikova (Fr) (Anabaa {USA}) and the Group 1 winner Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}).
Chesapeake in recent years has produced a 3-year-old filly named Hearts Will Melt (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a 2-year-old filly by Ardrossan, a yearling filly by Chaldean (GB) and is due to foal to Chaldean again this spring.
Kalgarry Ally was purchased by GI Box for NZ$50,000 from the KB Bloodstock draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Looking Back
Jean Georges (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) - Was an impressive winner at Moe, he looks a 3-year-old with great staying potential.
Mr Natural (Pinatubo {Ire}) - Ran a solid race at Moe running fourth, he was a touch unlucky so could be one to follow next time out.
