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 will aim to give you something to follow.
Today, we are expecting a bold debut at Muswellbrook from a 2-year-old with Group 1 speed in his pedigree and also like the chances of a promising and lightly tried filly. At Ballarat, we like the first-up prospects of a Written Tycoon colt.
Muswellbrook, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Australian Bloodstock Starmaker H., $30,000, 1000m
The Jean Dubois-trained Charlemagne (Real Impact {Jpn}) has looked good at the trials and boasts a speedy pedigree. He was bought out of breeder Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $90,000 by Arthur Hoyeau and then failed to meet his $120,000 reserve at the Ready2Race Sale when offered by Highlands Racing & Bloodstock.
Charlemagne as a yearling
He is a son of Cross Court (Snitzel) and she is out of a half-sister to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}), who produced the G3 Ottawa S. and Listed Calaway Gal S. winner Oakleigh Girl (Snitzel). Charlemagne placed in both of his trials before Christmas and showed the benefit of a break when a smart winner at Kembla Grange. He was ridden there by Jean Van Overmire who takes the reins again.
Muswellbrook, Race 7, 4.45pm AEDT, Galloping Group Showcase H., $30,000, 1280m
Water Dove (Headwater) is proving to be a smart piece of business for the Belmont Bloodstock Agency after it paid only $20,000 to secure her out of Manx Park’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale consignment. She is a half-sister to three winners, including the Group 3 performer Queen Of Wands (Not A Single Doubt). Their dam She’s Warrego (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) is a half-sister to the stakes winner View The Stars (Galileo {Ire}) and the international family of the G1 Tokyo Mile Cup winner Clarity Sky (Jpn) (Kurofone {USA}).
Water Dove as a yearling
Trained by Brett Cavanough, Water Dove won her first two starts and has finished runner-up twice at Randwick in her only subsequent appearances. Jason Collett was aboard in the filly’s most recent appearance and he retains the mount and they look poised to go one better here.
Ballarat, Race 1, 12.35pm AEDT, Evergreen Turf Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Bred and raced by TJS Bloodstock, Growl (Written Tycoon) is a son of the G3 Epona S. and Listed Mona Lisa S. winner Vergara (Snippetson) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Autumn S. winner Valiant Spirit (Duporth). They are out of a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner and sire Turffontein, who also claimed an edition of the G2 Queensland Guineas.
Written Tycoon, sire of Growl | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Growl will be making his debut and his chances, in what looks to be an open affair, will be guided by the dependable John Allen. The colt has had the benefit of a trial at Cranbourne earlier this month and finished third over 800 metres without being put under any pressure.
