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 like the chances at Randwick of a colt who has trialled well since last racing and at Caulfield we’re in the corner of a youngster dropping back in class and a 3-year-old with the pedigree to suggest he will be a handful at Listed level over 2400 metres.
Randwick, Race 1, 11.35am AEST, G3 Widden Kindergarten S., $200,000, 1100m
King Of Sparta (I Am Invincible) was a sound fourth in stronger company at his last appearance when fourth in the G2 Silver Slipper S. at Rosehill. He has since trialled well on a Heavy Randwick track and from the inside gate rider Tommy Berry will be able to go give the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt every possible chance to triumph.
King Of Sparta as a yearling
He was sold by breeder Yarraman Park Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to the China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Starlight Racing for $700,000. A half-brother to a pair of multiple winners, King Of Sparta is out of the G3 Cockram S. winner Octavia (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and the second dam Paklani (Haulpak) was also a Group 3 winner. Feature names in the pedigree include the South African Group 1-winning half-siblings Stellite (SAF) (Fard {Ire}) and Zirconeum (SAF) (Jallad {USA}).
Caulfield, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Neds H., $125,000, 1200m
Cheerful Legend (Shalaa {Ire}) takes a significant step back in class here and should return to winning ways after scoring with ease at Moonee Valley two runs ago. He then finished less than 2l off the winner in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. and looks a gilt-edged prospect in this.
Cheerful Legend as a yearling
Bred by Redbank and sold by Arrowfield Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Cheerful Legend realised $600,000 and was signed for by trainer John Sadler. He is a half-brother to the two-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner Contentment (Hussonet {USA}) with their dam Jemison (Commands). She is out of a half-sister to the former Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, G1 AJC Sires’ Produce S. winner and sire Align and the family of G2 Shorts H. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Fritz’s Princess (More Than Ready {USA}).
Caulfield, Race 6, 3.35pm AEST, Listed Lamaro’s Hotel Galilee Series Final, $150,000, 2400m
Silicon Valley (Americain {USA}) has the pedigree and form to suggest he is going to run this trip out strongly. The lightly tried 3-year-old has won his last two starts, including success over 2150 metres most recently and, while up in class, he drops a whopping 15.5kg.
Americain (USA), sire of Silicon Valley | Standing at Daisy Hill Stud
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Silicon Valley is out of the winning Monsun (Ger) mare Sunnyvale (Ger) and she hails from an international family that oozes stamina. It features the presence of the multiple Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Sagace (Fr), whose half-brother Star Lift (GB) (Mill Reef {USA}) won the G1 Prix Royal Oak, and the dual Group 1 winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}). She has also produced Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}), who emulated her dam by winning two elite level events.
