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 will aim to give you something to follow.
On Wednesday, our journey starts out in New Zealand, where a well-bred Savabeel 3-year-old debuts at Cambridge, before heading to Sandown to check out a Cable Bay (Ire) colt from one of the best families in the Studbook, and then to Canterbury, where a promising I Am Invincible colt resumes for Chris Waller.
Cambridge Synthetic, Race 4, 1.07pm NZST, (11.07am AEST), Liquorland Cambridge Mdn, NZ$10,000, 1300m
Le Capilla (NZ) (Savabeel) makes his first start here for Cambridge trainer Shane Crawford having shown plenty of early speed at a recent trial, leading up the field before feeling the pinch late. He would have no doubt improved off that hitout.
Le Capilla (NZ) as a yearling
He is well-credentialled from a pedigree perspective, being a brother to the Listed winner Peaceful (NZ) and a half-brother to the stakes-placed Miss Fi (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) as well as two other winners. Their dam, Paloma (NZ) (Mossman), is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Chivalry (Street Boss {USA}), with the grandam, World Peace (Danehill {USA}) also a Group 3 winner.
Le Capilla was passed in for NZ$150,000 through the Westbury Stud draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Sandown, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Ladbrokes H., $50,000, 1000m
The Danny O'Brien-trained Heir Apparent (Cable Bay {Ire}) will carry substantial expectation into his debut as not only the most expensive Australian yearling sold by his sire, but also being out of a sister to All Too Hard and half-sister in Black Caviar (Bel Esprit). Bred by Gilgai Farm, he was purchased by his trainer at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $210,000.
Cable Bay (Ire), sire of Heir Apparent | Standing at Highclere Stud
Gilgai Farm's Rick Jamieson personally selected mares to go to Cable Bay during the stallion's time at Woodside Park, so you know the pedigree comes with his insight, especially given how well he knows this family, which now also includes dual Group 1 winner and Vinery Stud stallion Ole Kirk. This colt looked pretty sharp winning a recent Flemington jump-out.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Admire Mars at Arrowfield H., $50,000, 1250m
The Chris Waller-trained Turgenev (I Am Invincible) returns from a spell, having had just one run his first time in, finishing midfield in a similar quality race back in March. His most recent trial is difficult to read as he was taken to the outside fence and looked to be tailed off before charging home for fourth late on.
Turgenev as a yearling
He was a $500,000 purchase by Colm Santry Bloodstock through the Yulong draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is out of the multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed mare, Gypsy Diamond (Not A Single Doubt), who has already produced a winner in Brazen Gypsy (Brazen Beau).
Looking Back
Our three selections at Ballarat on Tuesday all failed to figure in the finish of their respective races. Mongolian Pride (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) got well back in his race and while he made ground could only finish fifth, some 5.5l from the winner, while Sprites (No Nay Never {USA}) sat just behind the pace but was beaten 3.35l into seventh.
It was also not to be for our other selection, Sweet Home Alabama (Starspangledbanner), who failed to beat a runner home in the second race at Ballarat.
