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 Friday, a trio of 2-year-olds look to kick off their careers on the final day of the season, including an Exosphere colt at Goulburn, and a half-brother to a Group 1 winner and a Written Tycoon filly from an in-form family at Geelong.
Goulburn, Race 1, 12.05pm AEST, Barlens Hire Mdn, $22,000, 1000m
Solva (Exosphere) is one of two interesting runners for Bjorn Baker in this race. He was a $210,000 buy from the draft of Daandine Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and boasts a very interesting pedigree, being out of Miss Milanese (Snitzel), who has already produced the recent Macau winner Association Eighty (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Exosphere, sire of Solva | Standing at Darley
Miss Milanese is a out of Group 1 winner Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}), who has also produced the Group 3 winner Oakleigh Girl (Snitzel), whose I Am Invincible colt topped the same Magic's sale that this colt was sold at. Solva has looked forward enough at his recent trials to suggest he can be a factor on debut in this race.
Geelong, Race 1, 12.30pm AEST, Bet365 Odds Drift 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1130m
Palatine Hill (Palace Music {USA}) has been a terrific producer already, with her son by Teofilo (Ire), Palentino, a Group 1 winner and a Sun Stud stallion, while Junipal (Reset) has been stakes-placed and four other of her foals have been winners. Pal D'Oro (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) is the latest of her progeny to hit the track, debuting for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for a syndicate, including his breeder Robert Crabtree.
Medaglia D'Oro (USA), sire of Pal D'Oro | Standing at Darley America
His most recent jump-out wasn't caught by the cameras, but he was competitive in the one before that, and while he may take a run or two to come to hand, he is a colt worth following in his first preparation.
Geelong, Race 2, 1pm AEST, A List Racing 2YO Mdn, $31,500, 1130m
Royal Obsession (Written Tycoon) has impressed at her couple of jump-outs for Leon and Troy Corstens this time in, winning one and finishing close-up in the other and looks a filly with plenty of potential going forward.
Royal Obsession as a yearling
She was a $100,000 purchase for Bennett Racing and Malua Racing at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Twilight Royale (Testa Rossa), the dam of Wednesday's smart winner Royal Banquet (Snitzel) - and six other winners, including the stakes-placed Chater D'Cat (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Superhard (All Too Hard).
