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.
Today, a regally-bred 2-year-old on debut at Rosehill has our attention, as does a 4-year-old from the family of the mighty Galileo (Ire) making his first Australian appearance at Flemington. Then we move to the Gold Coast where we fancy the prospects of a lightly-tried 3-year-old.
Rosehill, Race 1, 12.55pm AEDT, The Agency Real Estate H., $125,000, 1100m
There will be plenty of interest in the debut performance of Remarque (Snitzel), a brother to the G1 Golden Slipper S. and G2 Reisling S. winner and champion 2-year-old Estijaab. They are out of the two-time Group 1 winner Response (Charge Forward) and she is a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Queen of the South S. winner Returntosender (Elusive City {USA}).
Snitzel, sire of Remarque | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Raced by breeder Arrowfield Stud and Katsumi Yoshida, Remarque is trained by Team Hawkes and is unbeaten in both of his lead-up trials. The colt was ridden on both occasions by Tommy Berry, who has the reins again, and a rich pedigree can rise to the top if the colt has a little early luck from a tricky barrier (11).
Flemington, Race 2, 2.18pm AEDT, Summer Twilight Racing Trophy, $75,000, 1600m
Great House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is an interesting runner with a rich international pedigree, which could be seen as a winning advantage in his first Australian appearance. A 175,000gns (AU$335,000) Tattersalls Online August Sale buy for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Australia, he is a half-brother to the G3 Maisons-Laffitte Prix Miesque winner Aboulie (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) and to the dam of the G2 Greenlands S. winner and sire Mustajeeb (GB).
Galileo (Ire), sire of Great House (Ire) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
Great House’s dam is a half-sister to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner and successful sire Anabaa Blue (GB) and they are out of a half-sister to Urban Sea (USA) (Miswaki {USA}), who produced the champion sire Galileo. The subject horse won one of his two starts in Ireland at 2400 metres so a mile first-up should be suitable and a bold showing is anticipated.
Gold Coast, Race 1, 12.15pm, Magic Millions Maiden Plate, $242,500, 1200m
Unlike a few of his in-form rivals, For Valour (Zoustar) has been blessed with a perfect inside barrier (one) and looks to have a grand chance of opening his winning account. He comes here second-up after placing at Canterbury Park on New Year’s Day and will no doubt strip fitter for that outing.
For Valour as a yearling
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, For Valour was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Tyreel Stud and signed for at $220,000 by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with Andrew Williams Bloodstock. He is the first representative of the unraced Hinchinbrook mare Miss Valor, a daughter of the G3 Grand Prix S. winner Saint Minerva (Galileo {Ire}) and the family of the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce S. winner Rhythmic Charm (NZ) (Sackford {USA}).
