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.
Black-type races in Sydney and Melbourne deservedly take top billing on Saturday, but there are some other runners during the day who are well worth keeping a close eye on – including one on the supporting program at Flemington, and two at Newcastle.
Flemington, Race 3, 1.15pm AEST, Grinders Coffee Roasters Plate., $135,000, 1800m
A field light on numbers but with no shortage of interest, including four last-start winners along with well-bred colt Token Spirit (Wandjina).
The Robbie Griffiths-trained 3-year-old was a $300,000 purchase from the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a son of Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper), who won the G1 Queensland Oaks and placed in the G1 Queen of the Turf S. and Queensland Derby.
Already the dam of multiple winner and G3 Ethereal S. fourth placegetter Collectable (Sebring), Miss Keepsake is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner and successful producer Villifye (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Token Spirit as a yearling
Miss Keepsake’s granddam My Tripos (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) was a full-sister to four stakes-winners including Grosvenor (NZ), who won the G1 Victoria Derby, Caulfield Guineas and VRC Sires’ Produce S. and became a highly successful sire.
Token Spirit began his career with a close eighth over 1200 metres at Ballarat on July 20. He is making a significant step up in trip for this.
Newcastle, Race 5, 2.39pm AEST, Yarraman Park Mdn H., $35,000, 1200m
Peter and Paul Snowden have four entrants in this race including the well related Reignite (Sebring), who was an $800,000 purchase at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Reignite is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Risk Aversion, who won five races including the Listed Juanmo S. and placed in the G3 Millie Fox S.
Risk Aversion is also a half-sister to Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), whose stakes successes included the G2 Phar Lap S. and Premiere S. alongside placings in the G1 George Main S., Emirates S., Myer Classic, All Aged S. and Queen of the Turf S., as well as the five-time Hong Kong stakes-winner Scintillation (Danehill {USA}).
Reignite as a yearling
Reignite is raced by Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Horse Ventures, Newgate S F, Go Bloodstock Australia, G1G Racing & Breeding, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Glenlogan Park, Aston Bloodstock, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Stonestreet Stables LLC and Winstar Farm LLC.
The 3-year-old has shown promise, finishing fourth in both of his starts to date, and he was second and third in two trials at Randwick during July.
Newcastle, Race 6, 3.19pm AEST, New Zealand Bloodstock Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Chris Waller’s pair of fillies in this event include Canadian Spice (Vancouver), who was bought for $600,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Woppitt Bloodstock and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Canadian Spice is a daughter of Paprika (General Nediym), whose six wins included the Listed CE McDougall S. and Tommy Smith Slipper. She also finished second in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, third in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic and fourth in the G2 Schillaci S.
Canadian Spice as a yearling
While still a maiden from three starts, Canadian Spice has already earned black type through her third placing in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery in December.
Canadian Spice won a 900 metre trial at Rosehill on July 17.
