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 Australia Day, a trio of horses on debut catch our eye, all of which have shown considerable promise at the trails or jump-outs ahead of their first raceday appearances.
Caulfield, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, Listed Neds Blue Diamond Preview (C & G), $160,000, 1000m
Midwest (Zoustar) looked a class above his rivals in a recent Mornington trial, setting a strong pace and then easing to the sort of victory which suggests he is capable of tackling a stakes race, which is exactly what trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman do with him here.
Midwest as a yearling
He is out of the stakes-placed Umgeton (Stratum), who has already produced the winner Zoutons (Zoustar). Umgeton is in turn out of the flying mare Edgeton (Racer's Edge), who won a Listed Ian McEwen Trophy. Midwest was a $200,000 purchase for William Johnson Bloodstock/Blue Sky Bloodstock and Rosemont Stud from the Noorilim Park draft at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.
Caulfield, Race 4, 2.55pm AEDT, G3 Neds Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), $160,000, 1000m
Privately purchased by Glentree Racing from Arrowfield Stud, Duchy Of Savoy (Snitzel) is the first foal to the track from Group 2-winning mare Saavoya (NZ) (Savabeel). Saavoya, whose yearling colt by Snitzel sold for $280,000 at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, is a sister to Group 3 winner Duchess Kate (NZ) (Savabeel).
Snitzel, sire of Duchy Of Savoy | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Team Hawkes has given her a couple of jump-outs, the most recent at Flemington where she matched motors with the smart 2-year-old General Beau (Brazen Beau) all the way through the line, showing her speed and talent. She is one of five debutantes in this race.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 3.15pm AEDT, TAB Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Jenga (All Too Hard) looks a filly capable of winning on debut for Team Hawkes having won her recent trial at Rosehill in impressive fashion, setting the pace and then kicking home well to win untouched.
Jenga as a yearling
She was a $380,000 purchase from the Cressfield draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is out of the Listed winner Shoboard (Show A Heart), who has also produced the stakes winner Granny Red Shoes (Not A Single Doubt). The second dam, Ten Eighty (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), is a sister to Group 1 winner Star Satire (NZ), who is the dam of G2 Silver Slipper S. winner Satin Shoes (Flying Spur).
