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.
On Thursday, the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington takes our eye and one well-related runner in particular, while elsewhere at Flemington an impressive young import is elevated to stakes company at just his second start and at Gawler, the McEvoys step out a well-bred filly.
Flemington Race 2, 2:20pm AEDT, Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $200,000, 1000m
A host of well-related horses in this one, but Rathlin (Fastnet Rock) is the one which creates most interest. He is out of Weiner (More Than Ready {USA}), a half-sister to Snitzel and Hinchinbrook who has already produced stakes-placed pair Redoutable Heart (Redoute's Choice) and Za Zi Ba (All Too Hard.
Rathlin as a yearling
He cost Aquis Farm $725,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and debuts here for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who have had previous success with juveniles owned by Aquis, notably Dubious (Not A Single Doubt). He was given a recent jumpout where he was not really let go, finishing comfortably in behind the leaders and doing enough to think he can make an impression on debut in this race.
Gawler Race 3, 4:17pm AEDT, G&J Civil/SABOIS Mdn, $17,500, 1100m
Goolagong Rose (Wandjina) debuts here for Tony and Calvin McEvoy off a couple of competitive recent trials, the latest when second behind promising stablemate The Natural (Fastnet Rock) at Balaklava.
She was a $170,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast buy for her trainers from Strawberry Hill Stud out of the well-related mare Off The Canvas (Elusive Quality {USA}), a half-sister to Listed winner Fleet (Dehere {USA}) as well as Negotiate (Red Ransom {USA}), the dam of Group 1 winner Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt).
Goolagong Rose as a yearling
Group 1 winner Euphoria (Marauding {NZ}) is this filly's second dam and she hails from one of the better Australian families, with her dam Joy And Fun (Showdown {GB}) a half-sister to Joie Denise (Danehill {USA}), who is the dam of Group 1 winning pair Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}) and Tuesday Joy (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}).
Flemington Race 7. 5:15pm AEDT, Listed TCL TV S,. $175,000, 1800m
Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) created a huge impression on debut for subsequent Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O'Brien, winning a maiden at Ballarat in stylish fashion. Still a 2-year-old by Northern Hemisphere time, he looks a colt of considerable talent and his connections have wasted no time elevating him to stakes level.
Camelot (GB), sire of Russian Camelot (Ire)
He was bought for 120,000 gns (AU$235,000) at the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and arrived in Australia soon after. His dam Lady Babooshka (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a half sister to Group 2 winner Alkaadhem (GB) (Green Desert {USA}), while Listed winner Zanetto (GB) (Medician {GB}) is out of another half-sister. The second dam is the multiple stakes winner Balalaika (GB) (Sadler's Wells {USA}), who has two stakes-winning siblings including her full brother, the multiple Group winner Stagecraft (GB).
