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, a full brother to Fell Swoop (Not A Single Doubt) debuts at Wyong, where an expensive colt also looks for his second win, while at Pakenham, Team Hawkes debut a Zoustar gelding from a family with plenty of black type.
Wyong, Race 3, 2.05pm AEST, Coca-Cola 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1100m
Falcon (Not A Single Doubt) makes his first appearance in a race for Peter and Paul Snowden having shown some promise when second in a recent Randwick barrier trial.
Falcon as a yearling
He was a $270,000 purchase for China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and he is a full brother to the Group 2 winning and multiple Group 1-placed sprinter Fell Swoop. Their dam, Touched In Flight (Fasliyev {USA}), has produced a perfect five winners from five to the track and is a daughter to G2 Silver Shadow S. and Listed Gimcrack S. winner Crimson Flight (Akaaber {USA}).
Wyong, Race 5, 3.20pm AEDT, Sky Racing Class 1 H., $31,500, 1600m
Million-dollar colt Significance (Frankel {GB}) drops back in class having been well-beaten when a short-priced favourite when he stepped out in midweek company at Warwick Farm two weeks' ago.
Significance as a yearling
Prior to that, the John O'Shea-trained Significance had been an impressive maiden winner at this track and a repeat of that performance, where he won by nearly 8l, will put him in good stead in this Class 1 race. He was purchased for $1.1 million by Domeland at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and boasts a very impressive pedigree being out of Aqua Bella (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the daughter of multiple Group 1-winning stayer Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill {USA}).
Pakenham, Race 1, 5pm AEDT, Racing.com 3YO Mdn, $31,500, 1100m
Zougazem (Zoustar) has travelled very much within himself at his two impressive recent Flemington jump-outs and looks like a horse that could make quick progress through his classes off those performances. He debuts here for Team Hawkes with substantial market expectation.
Zoustar, sire of Zougazem | Standing at Widden Stud
He was retained to race by Woodside Park and is the second foal from the Listed-winning mare Best Yet To Come (Econsul {NZ}), who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Simply Put (Charge Forward) out of another stakes-placegetter in Simply The Best (NZ) (Kingdom Bay {NZ}). The extended family also includes New Zealand stakes-winners Super Shaquille (NZ) (Blazing Keel), Major Decision (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}) and Everswindell (NZ) (Align).
