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.
This Thursday we shine the spotlight on Kembla Grange, whose seven-race program features a number of well-related, lightly raced and promising young horses.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Markey Saddlery Maiden H., $35,000, 1400m
All eyes here will be on Stark (I Am Invincible), a 4-year-old entire whose dam Commanding Jewel (Commands) won five races including the G1 Thousand Guineas and back-to-back editions of the G2 Let’s Elope S.
Commanding Jewel is a half-sister to the exceptional four-time Group 1 winner Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock), who is the dam of this season’s classy Irish colt Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Stark as a yearling
Stark was offered by Vinery Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was bought for $1,450,000 by Jadeskye, B K Racing & Breeding and Brad Widdup Racing.
His debut appearance was at Wyong on July 21, where he made ground from a midfield position to finish second over 1200 metres. He looks likely to appreciate the extra distance on Thursday, with Shaun Guymer retaining the mount for Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 2.10pm AEST, Polar Petfood & Produce Class 1 H., $35,000, 1200m
This race features the 3-year-old War Memorial (Fastnet Rock), who is raced by Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing, Horse Ventures, Newgate S F, Go Bloodstock Australia, G1G Racing & Breeding, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Glenlogan Park, Aston Bloodstock, Grant Bloodstock & Carpe Diem.
War Memorial is a full brother to Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock), the recently promoted winner of last season’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. That is one of four victories for Eleven Eleven, who has also placed in the G3 Vo Rogue P., the Listed Gold Edition P. and the Luskin Star S.
War Memorial’s second dam is Darling Alice (USA) (Northern Flagship {USA}), a stakes winner who performed up to Grade 1 level. She is a half-sister to four stakes winners including Gainesville (Can) (Afleet {Can}), whose daughter Mica’s Pride (Bite The Bullet {USA}) is the dam of Group 1 winners Criterion (NZ) and Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock).
War Memorial as a yearling
Offered by Edinburgh Park at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, War Memorial was a $680,000 purchase by the China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, War Memorial lined up in four races as a 2-year-old, winning the most recent of them at Gosford on July 25. He also finished third in the Listed Phelan Ready S. in Brisbane.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 2.45pm AEST, PFD Food Services Maiden H., $35,000, 1000m
Argenteus (Written Tycoon) is another high-priced yearling purchase from the Snowden stable. He cost $900,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is raced by a James Harron Bloodstock Colts Syndicate.
His dam Golden Penny (Blevic) won eight races including the Listed Penny Edition S. and Durbridge S., and she placed in the G3 Spring S. and Listed City of Adelaide H. She is the dam of two winners from three foals to race.
His fifth dam is the great Wiggle (Rego {Ire}), whose 20 wins included the Champagne S., Caulfield Guineas, Stradbroke H. and nine stakes wins in the United States.
Argenteus as a yearling
Argenteus competed exclusively at stakes level in his three starts last season, finishing a close fifth in the G2 Skyline S. before struggling in the slow track conditions when eighth in the G3 Pago Pago S. and sixth in the Listed Schweppervescence at Rosehill. He has placed in two recent trials at Randwick.
