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.
At Bathurst, we’re keen on a 3-year-old who turned in a fine debut performance and a well-related juvenile with trial form to back his claims. At Pakenham, we like the chances of a lightly raced galloper who has improved with each run this time in.
Bathurst, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, Pearce’s Furniture & Bedding Plate, $22,000, 1400m
Remus (Vancouver) has a pair of lead-up trials to his Hawkesbury debut where he defied his long odds to finish third. He went back to last from an outside gate and made ground well so from a better gate here, five, the 3-year-old looks a strong chance.
Remus as a yearling
Prepared by Jarrod Austin, Remus was sold by Twin Hills Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $185,000. He is the first foal of the unraced Street Cry (Ire) mare Zeitlin and she is out of a half-sister to the G1 Clairwood Mercury Sprint winner War Artist (Orpen {USA}), who also placed at the top level in the Golden Jubilee S. and July Cup. It is also the family of the Listed Rosebud H. winner and G1 Golden Rose S. third placegetter Sebring Sun (Sebring).
Bathurst, Race 3, 1.50pm AEST, Central West Electrical H., $22,000, 1200m
War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) was bred by Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay and purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by trainer Bjorn Baker for NZ$160,000. He’s the first foal produced by Aleria (Fastnet Rock), an unraced sister to the multiple winner and Group performer Thorondor.
War Eternal (NZ) as a yearling
Their dam is the multiple black-type winner Impressive Eagle (Rubiton) and she is a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready {USA}) and the stakes winners Assertive Eagle (Danewin) and Soaressa (Twining {USA}). War Eternal trialled on four occasions and placed in three of them and from a handy gate of three looks set to make an impression on debut.
Pakenham, Race 7, 4pm AEST, Spendthrift Australia H., $22,000, 1400m
Blood Sweat Tears (Reward For Effort) is a promising 3-year-old who has impressed in a brief career to date. Last preparation, he led all the way to break his maiden at Bendigo and following a spell was fourth when resuming and backed that up with a solid third. He has also displayed versatility with form on wet and dry tracks.
Blood Sweat Tears as a yearling
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Blood Sweat Tears was bought out of Milford Thoroughbreds’ Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale draft for $100,000. He is a half-brother to six winners, including Burning Front (Primus), who was twice successful at Group 3 level and also the family of the G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S. winner Isanami (Tayasu Tsuyoshi {Jpn}).
