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.
We cast our eye on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday, where a trio of lightly raced and talented youngsters will line up with impressive pedigree credentials behind them.
Arawa Park, Race 2, 12pm NZT (10am AEST), Atkinson and Donaldson Mdn, NZ$10,000, 1400m
This maiden race features 3-year-old filly Jakkalnuts (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), who did some good work late in the race when fifth on debut over 1200 metres at Matamata on April 16, finishing only 1.7l from the winner. The chestnut filly should appreciate an extra 200 metres for her second start on Saturday.
A daughter of the late Jakkalberry (Ire) – best known in Australia as the sire of this season’s Derby hat-trick hero Explosive Jack (NZ) – Jakkalnuts is the sixth foal to race from the Generous (Ire) mare Double Elle (NZ).
The late Jakkkalberry (NZ)
Four of Jakkalnuts’ older siblings have won races, most notably Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), who scored Group 1 victories in the 2017 New Zealand Derby, Rosehill Guineas and Windsor Park Plate.
Rideitlikeustoleit (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) has also won six races and placed in the G3 Canterbury Breeders’ S., while Griffin (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Runway (NZ) (Pins) have won seven races between them and Sesto (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) has been a placegetter this season.
Jakkalnuts is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and will be ridden on Saturday by Craig Grylls.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 12.24pm AEST, Alan Dumbleton 2YO Mdn P., $35,000, 1000m
Godolphin will line up Alice Through (Snitzel) in this 2-year-old sprint, ridden by Andrew Gibbons for trainer James Cummings.
The well-related filly was a $600,000 purchase from the draft of Strawberry Hill Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is out of Mirror Mirror (Dehere {USA}), who herself won the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Listed Gimcrack S.
Alice Through as a yearling
Mirror Mirror is the dam of three winners from five foals to race, headed by Listed Carrington S. winner No Looking Back (Redoute’s Choice), who also finished second in the G1 Blue Diamond and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Alice Through’s full brother Chauffeur (Snitzel) is a four-race winner who has placed in the G3 San Domenico S. and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Gorgeous Debut (Exceed And Excel) is a three-time sprint winner in Hong Kong.
Alice Through herself has had three starts to date, beginning with a third on debut at Newcastle in December. She was then unplaced in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic and on the Gold Coast the week before the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but was not beaten by a large margin on either occasion.
Alice Through has shown promising signs in trials on April 19 and May 3.
Doomben, Race 5, 2.02pm AEST, G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic, 1200m, $250,000
Maotai (Not A Single Doubt) faces a steep class rise here from a winning debut at Ipswich earlier this month, but there is enough in his pedigree and dominant first-up performance to suggest this colt can take the next step.
Aquis Farm paid $425,000 to buy Maotai from Milburn Creek’s draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Moatai as a yearling
He is the first named foal out of Fascination Street (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), who won five races including the Listed Rotorua S. and also placed in the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas, the G3 Gold Trail S. and the Listed Ryder S.
Fascination Street is also a full sister to the stakes winner Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}).
Maotai made his debut over 1100 metres at Ipswich on May 3, dominating the race from the front and winning by 5.25l in the hands of Andrew Mallyon.
