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, we are tipping a 2-year-old to remain unbeaten at Rosehill and expecting a star trial performer to make a winning debut at Newcastle. At Caulfield, we like the chances of a well-related filly stepping out in stakes company for the first time.
Rosehill, Race 5, 3.20pm AEDT, G2 Iron Jack Silver Slipper S., $250,000, 1100m
Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) was a stylish debut winner of the Kirkham Plate in the spring and had no trouble coping with a rain-affected track that day. He was subsequently given a break and returns here for Richard and Michael Freedman off the back of a trial placing.
Extreme Choice, sire of Tiger Of Malay | Standing at Newgate Farm
The colt was offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Tyreel Stud and secured for $255,000 by the joint efforts of Newgate and the China Horse Club, who remain in the ownership with a number of partners. Tiger Of Malay is a half-brother to the Group 3 winners Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt) and Samovare (Savabeel) and they are out of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Sambar. It is also a well-performed 2-year-old family that includes the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi (Sidestep).
Newcastle, Race 2, 2.22pm AEDT, Webber Architects 3YO H., $35,000, 900m
If trial form counts for anything then French Marine (Epaulette) is going to prove awfully hard to hold out on debut. He won both of his outings during a winter preparation and following a spell has again been unbeaten in both of his lead-up trials and from an inside gate can be expected to make a bold bid at the first time of asking.
French Marine as a yearling
French Marine is prepared by Kris Lees, who teamed up with bloodstock agent Bruce Perry to purchase him out of Murulla Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $100,000. He will be the first to race for Mystic (Hard Spun {USA}), a two-time winner out of a three-quarter sister to the G3 South Cross H. winner Skytrain (Lonhro) and half-sister to the G2 Resiling Slipper Trial winner Manana (Crown Jester). The G1 Spring Champion S. winner Erewhon (Commands) also features on the pedigree page.
Caulfield, Race 3, 1.50pm AEDT, Neds Angus Armanasco S., $200,000, 1400m
Shojiki (Redoute’s Choice) was sold by breeder Arrowfield Stud for $150,000 to Phillip Stokes and Worldwide Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is a daughter of the unraced Sacred Witness (El Moxie {USA}), whose seven foals to race have all been successful and includes Religify (Choisir), winner of three Listed events.
Shojiki as a yearling
Sacred Witness is out of Jade Cherie (Bureaucracy {NZ}) and she is a sister to the dam of the Hong Kong Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}) and the G2 Salinger S. winner Sister Madly (Redoute’s Choice). Shojiki has made a bright start to her career with a victory from a handful of outings and, while this is a step-up in class, she is a progressive type and well-placed to earn her first black-type credit.
