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, there are a couple of debutants from Group 1-winning mares stepping out at Kembla Grange, while Anthony Freedman puts forward a 2-year-old colt by first-season sire Bull Point at Moe.
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 12.15pm AEST, Jack Primmer Electronics 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1000m
Into the Fire (Exceed And Excel) brings a world of quality on his pedigree to his debut here for Bjorn Baker, being by a legendary sire out of a Group 1-winning mare in Unearthly (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who has already produced a Group 1 winner herself in Invest (Dehere {USA}).
Into the Fire as a yearling
In that regard, the $200,000 Darby Racing and De Burgh Equine paid for him at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale looks a good deal.
This colt had a couple of trials back in January and then given a break, returned to trial impressively recently at Canterbury, winning that and giving every indication he won't be long breaking his maiden.
Moe, Race 3, 1.30pm AEST, Nextra Moe Mdn, $31,500, 1108m
Brazen Bully (Bull Point) creates plenty of interest up against the older horses here. He was a $50,000 buy for Dream Thoroughbreds, Blue Sky Bloodstock and trainer Anthony Freedman from the Inglis Ready2Race Sale last year.
Bull Point, sire of Brazen Bully | Standing at Kingstar Farm
His dam, Brazen Hussey (Hussonet {USA}), was stakes-placed herself and has produced a stakes performer in Speeding Comet (Manhattan Rain). She is also half-sister to Listed-winning pair Just a Kiseki (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) and Mr Trickster (Brocco {USA}).
This colt was given a recent jump-out at Flemington and closed off nicely from the rear of the field to finish on the heels of the winner.
Kembla Grange, Race 5, 2.40pm AEST, Dean Industrial Mdn, $31,500, 1200m
California Sky (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) was a $1 million buy for Asian Bloodstock Services out of the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and makes his debut for Peter and Paul Snowden off a couple of solid trial performances.
California Sky as a yearling
He is the first foal to race out of G1 Inglis Sires' winner Peggy Jean (Myboycharlie {Ire}), hailing from a family with other Group 1 winners in the page such as Lady Jakeo (Last Tycoon {Ire}) and Mrs Onassis (General Nediym). Interesting that he debuts against the older horses, and he gets the services of a top quality jockey in Tommy Berry.
