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 Written Tycoon gelding looks for a debut win at Echuca, while at Kembla Grange, a couple of impeccably bred runners by I Am Invincible and Snitzel look to break their maidens.
Echuca, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Think Water Power Echuca Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Black Penn (Written Tycoon) debuted with a close-up third in a strong race at Sandown in July and having been freshened up by trainer Greg Eurell, was given a strong hitout in a recent Cranbourne jump-out which should put him in good stead to break his maiden here.
Black Penn as a yearling
He was a $160,000 purchase by his trainer at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Kitchwin Hills. His dam, French Penn (Noverre {USA}), was a city winner and has already produced three winners as well as the metro-placed Zouriana (Zoustar). Her dam, Ivy League (Ire) (Doyoun {Ire}) was a stakes winner in France who produced Listed Port Adelaide Guineas winner Cornell (Elusive Quality {USA}).
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 2.05pm AEST, Burrawang Metro and Prov Mdn, $40,000, 1500m
The very well-bred Stark (I Am Invincible) has been building towards a win for trainer Brad Widdup and was most recently third, beaten less than 1l, in a 1600 metre maiden at Wyong at his fourth start.
He was a $1.45 million buy from the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is the first foal of G1 Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel (Commands). She is the half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winners Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock), who we sadly recently lost after she foaled a colt by Justify (USA). G1 The Galaxy winner I Am Excited (Snitzel) also features on the pedigree.
Stark as a yearling
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 3.20pm AEST, Broughton Vale Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
San Antonio (Snitzel) made just one appearance for Peter and Paul Snowden as a 2-year-old, finishing fifth when well backed at Kembla Grange and he had been put through a couple of recent trials ahead of his return to the racetrack here.
Retained by his breeder Sheikh Khalifa to race in partnership, he is from one of the most current families in Australia. He is a half-brother to both G1 Flight S. winner Oohood (I Am Invincible) and Breakfast In Bed (Hussonet {USA}), who is the dam of dual Group 1 winner King's Legacy (Redoute's Choice). The dam Bella Sunday (Sunday Silence {USA}) is a half-sister to now pensioned Arrowfield stallion Not A Single Doubt.
San Antonio as a yearling
