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 Muswellbrook of a Capitalist colt who won last time out and looks primed to strike again. At Geelong, we believe a son of Rubick can break through after a solid effort at the first time of asking while a Press Statement 3-year-old is poised to star on his return.
Muswellbrook, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Greg Cribb Memorial H., $27,000, 900m
Repeal (Capitalist) has the pedigree and the form to suggest that he is going to double his winning tally following a last-start success. The colt is a son of the Exceed And Excel mare Cancel, who showed pace with two wins up to 1000 metres, and her stakes-performed dam Cataclysm (Marauding {NZ}) is a sister to the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Earthquake and the Listed winners Pandemic (Sepoy) and Palomares (Commands).
Repeal as a yearling
Repeal is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, who races the Katom-bred youngster after purchasing him out of Coolmore’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $150,000. A fourth placing at Sandown two runs back was a sign of things to come and that was fulfilled with a front-running win at Pakenham. From a handy gate (four) over this trip, a further victory beckons.
Geelong, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Bet365 Top Tote plus 2YO Plate, $35,000, 1200m
The Shane Nichols-trained Pentegra (Rubick) gave a bold account of himself on debut at Donald where he sat on the pace and kicked on strongly in the run home to finish runner-up. He has drawn well again in barrier four but will jump from three folllowing the scratching of Seonee (Winning Rupert) from inside him, and Mark Zahra will be able to give him every chance to go one better.
Rubick, sire of Pentegra | Standing at Coolmore
The chestnut was a $100,000 buy for Nichols and Pinhook Bloodstock at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale where he was offered by Moorookyle Park. He is a half-brother to five winners, including Beauty Applause (Stratum) who was placed in the G2 Hong Kong Sprint Cup. Their dam Easy Step (Arena) won on four occasions and hails from a pedigree that features the multiple stakes-winning 2-year-old Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) and the G2 Ansett Cup winner Pete’s Choice (Blue And Gold).
Geelong, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Andrews & Co Estate Agents Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Toomuchtobear (NZ) (Press Statement) was bred by Dan Myers and sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale for NZ$85,000 by Carlaw Park, who then re-offered him at the Ready to Run Sale where he was purchased by Chris Waller and Guy Mulcaster for NZ$120,000. His dam Bearish (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) won three times and is out of a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Waikiki (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}).
Toomuchtobear (NZ) as a yearling
Under the second dam is the G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and further back in the pedigree is the former Hong Kong Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago). Toomuchtobear was put aside after finished third at Moe at the first time of asking and, with the benefit of time to develop, can make an impact on his return.
