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, we look at three horses on debut, starting out with a 3-year-old at New Plymouth for Te Akau and Jamie Richards. We then head to Kyneton, where Anthony and Sam Freedman and Matt Cumani both kick off the racetrack careers of a couple of well-related horses.
New Plymouth, Race 6, 3.26pm NZDT, 1.26pm AEDT, Landmark Homes Mdn, NZ$10,000, 1600m
Pride Of Pania (Pierro) was purchased by Te Akau's David Ellis for NZ$340,000 at last year's New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale and is down to make his debut here for Jamie Richards after three recent trials.
Pierro, sire of Pride Of Pania | Standing at Coolmore
He was initially secured by Riversley Park for $145,000 through the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale before being pinhooked. His unraced dam Rose Of Pania (Redoute's Choice) is a sister to Group 1 winner Lotteria and a half-sister to Group 1-placed filly Rose Of Sharon (Encosta De Lago).
Kyneton, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Bet365 Top Tote Plus 3YO Mdn, $23,000, 1212m
Siren Rock (Lonhro) debuts for Anthony and Sam Freedman in the Musk Creek colours, having been purchased by the Victorian farm at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $170,000 and then retained after passing in at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year.
Siren Rock as a yearling
He is closely related to G1 Golden Slipper placegettter and Group 3 winner Tulip (Pierro), with his dam, the unraced She's A Vamp (High Chaparral {Ire}) a sister to Group 3 winner Sacred Eye as well. His grandam, Musidora (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) has proven an influential broodmare and also produced the stakes-placed Sikorksy (Pierro).
Siren Rock wasn't too far away in a recent jump-out at Sandown and looks a horse capable of improvement through his first campaign.
Kyneton, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Miranda Park Stud F&M Mdn, $23,000, 1469m
Matt Cumani takes Tycoon Bec (Written Tycoon) to the races as a 4-year-old off a pretty strong jump-out performance at Ballarat recently and she gets her chance off an inside barrier here with apprentice Tatum Bull in the saddle.
Tycoon Bec as a yearling
She has taken a bit of patience since she was purchased by Cumani, Boomer Bloodstock and Peter Diamond at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Her dam, Morganza (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) won over 2000 metres in France and is a half-sister to a trio of stakes winners, including Group 2 winner Monturani (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). The grandam, Mezzogiorno (GB) (Unfuwain {GB}) was a Listed winner who finished third in the G1 Oaks in Great Britain.
