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 Saturday, we start with a nicely bred first-starter in a 2-year-old race at Riccarton in New Zealand. We will then touch on a 2-year-old race at Randwick that will be well worth a close look, then head to Caulfield, where a high-priced colt will shoot for his second win from as many starts.
Riccarton Race 2, 12:45pm NZDT, 10:45am AEDT, NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO, NZ$22,500, 800m
Bred and owned by Karen Parsons, who trains in partnership with her husband John, the first-starter Koputaroa (NZ) (Pins) is a son of one of the stable’s best-ever horses.
His dam is Final Touch (NZ) (Kashani {USA}), who won 18 races including the G1 Captain Cook S., Telegraph H. and Waikato Sprint.
The late Pins, sire of Koputaroa (NZ)
Final Touch has had two foals to race so far, with Final Savings (NZ) (Savabeel) winning two races and Touchabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) finishing fourth in the Listed Welcome S.
Koputaroa has had two trials to prepare him for his race debut, winning over 600 metres back in September before a second placing over 800 metres on January 16.
Randwick Race 1, 1:15pm AEDT, Inglis Millennium in 14 Days 2YO H., $125,000, 1000m
There are a number of points of interest among the first-starters in this race, including Mount Fuji (Snitzel), who was a $2.8 million purchase at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Mount Fuji is out of multiple stakes winner Ichihara (General Nediym), who is a sister to the stakes winners Au Chocolat (General Nediym) and Isurava (General Nediym). Isurava is the dam of the Group 1 performer Menari (Snitzel).
Mount Fuji as a yearling
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Mount Fuji has had one trial, finishing second over 900 metres at Rosehill on January 14.
The Snowdens also have the fellow first-starter Rulership (I Am Invincible), who cost $900,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Rulership is a full brother to the Group 3 performer Jedastar (I Am Invincible). Both are out of Devoirs (Dehere {USA}), who was a Listed winner, while second dam Velasco (Flying Spur) was a Group 2 winner and placed at Group 1 level.
Rulership as a yearling
Rulership has had three trials for a win and two placings.
Meanwhile, the Sun Bloodstock homebred Mission River (Redoute’s Choice) is a son of Yosei (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who won the G1 Sires’ Produce S., Thousand Guineas and Tatt’s Tiara and is the dam of one winner from one foal to race.
Mission River has had a win and a placing from two trials.
Caulfield Race 5, 3:20pm AEDT, Lamaro’s Hotel Sth Melbourne H., $135,000, 1400m
This race features the undefeated Grand Admiral (Snitzel), who was bought for $1.6 million at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A son of the stakes-placed mare Admirelle (General Nediym), Grand Admiral is a full brother to the Group 1 winner and sire Sizzling (Snitzel).
Grand Admiral as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Grand Admiral began his career over 1200 metres at Echuca on New Year’s Eve. He was sent out as a $1.60 favourite and did not disappoint, scoring a smooth victory by 1l.
Craig Williams takes the ride on Saturday from gate eight.
