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 take a closer look at the chances on the Kensington track of a pair of expensive 3-year-olds in the Chris Waller stable and at Flemington we believe a well-bred colt with Peter Moody can open his stakes account.
Kensington, Race 3, 2.30pm AEST, The Bluebirds H., $80,000, 1550m
Green Flash (Redoute’s Choice) was bred by Redbank and offered by Arrowfield Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and was secured by trainer Chris Waller and Hermitage Thoroughbreds for $1 million.
Green Flash as a yearling
He is a half-brother to the stakes winners Diplomatico (Snitzel) and Havana (Starcraft {NZ}) with their dam the Anabaa (USA) mare Top Cuban. It is the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Slew City Slew (USA) and the G1 Kenilworth Guineas winner Captain’s Ransom (SAF) (Captain Al {SAF}). Green Flash was a tidy debut winner at Newcastle before he made late ground for fourth at Canterbury Park and the step up in distance may well be rewarded with further success.
Kensington, Race 4, 3.05pm AEST, Colonel TLF Rutledge H., $80,000, 1300m
Waller looks to have another top prospect here with Rubamos (I Am Invincible), who showed the benefit of time when he returned from a break to produce a dominant performance at Warwick Farm for victory at just his second appearance. He was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who takes the reins again and from an inside gate the 3-year-old appeals as a strong chance.
Rubamos as a yearling
Breeder Luskin Park offered Rubamos at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Waller with agent Guy Mulcaster for $550,000. A half-brother to a pair of multiple winners, he is a son of Oriental Ruby (Street Cry {Ire}), who was successful five times and placed at Group 2 level. It is a family which numbers the G1 Champagne S. winner and sire Full And By and the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Mon Mekki (Mukddaam {USA}) within its ranks.
Flemington, Race 4, 2.45pm AEST, Listed ANZAC Day S., $140,000, 1400m
He’s The Ultimate (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) gave an excellent account of himself first time out when he finished runner-up in the Listed Redoute’s Choice S. and is certain to have derived benefit from that experience. He has drawn the ace barrier, one, and will be given every chance to go one better by rider Luke Nolen.
Fastnet Rock, sire of He's The Ultimate (NZ) | Standing at Coolmore
Bred and raced by the Wanless family, the Peter Moody-trained He’s The Ultimate is a son of the four-time winner Spirit Of Heaven (NZ) (Savabeel) and she is a three-quarter sister to the G1 Schweppes Oaks winner Lights Of Heaven (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Their dam I’m In Heaven (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) is a half-sister to the G1 Diamond S. winner Dal Cielo (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
