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 that has trialled particularly well, we will aim to give you something to follow.
On Saturday, we like the chances at Goulburn of a son of All Too Hard who performed well in his first appearance and an American Pharoah (USA) filly on debut who boasts an impressive sprinting pedigree. At Sandown, we like the chances of a Tarzino (NZ) 3-year-old retaining his unbeaten record.
Goulburn, Race 1, 1.25pm AEST, Phoenix Conveyancing Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Antonio Giovanni (All Too Hard) has a lot to live up to on pedigree and he made an encouraging start when he finished runner-up on debut on the Kensington track at Randwick. He got back in the running and hit the line well enough over 1400 metres to suggest the extra distance here can see him go one better.
All Too Hard, sire of Antonio Giovanni | Standing at Vinery
Raced by breeder Tony Muollo and his family, Antonio Giovanni is a half-brother to the Group 1 winners and sires Pressday and Press Statement with their dam the Kaaptive Edition (NZ) mare Kaaptive Empress, who was successful on nine occasions. She is out of the North American black-type winner Nile Empress (USA) (Upper Nile {USA}) and the family of last season’s G1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}).
Goulburn, Race 4, 3.10pm AEST, Electel Services Plate, $35,000, 1200m
I Am Nefertiti (American Pharoah {USA}) is raced by Graham and Linda Huddy, who bred the filly under their Peachester Lodge banner. She is a daughter of Rubi Dee (I Am Invincible) and she is a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner and sire Brazen Beau and their dam Sansadee (Snadee {USA}) won three times and was Group 3-placed.
American Pharoah (USA), sire of I Am Nefertiti | Standing at Coolmore
Trained by John O’Shea, I Am Nefertiti was given a couple of trials in the autumn before she was given a break. She has been out a further two times ahead of her debut and in her latest trial at Randwick she finished runner-up to Legend I Am (I Am Invincible), who has since placed in his first raceday appearance so the form suggests this filly can make her presence felt.
Sandown, Race 3, 1.20pm AEST, Tile Importer H., $130,000, 1400m
Jungle Magnate (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was a debut winner over this course and distance in early June in his only appearance for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. On that occasion, he came off a handy sit to score in good style and the form out of the race is strong as runner-up Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring) subsequently went on to claim top honours in the Listed Oaklands Plate.
Jungle Magnate (NZ) as a yearling
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Jungle Magnate was bought by Price for NZ$75,000 out of Westbury Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He is the first live foal of The Love Of Money (Casino Price), who has an interesting international pedigree. She is a half-sister to the Brazilian Group 1 winner Questing New (Brz) (Romarin {Brz}) and her dam Loving New (Brz) (Choctaw Ridge {USA}) was a dual winner at the top level.
Looking Back
They don’t win much easier than our Coleraine selection King Of Pharaohs (American Pharoah {USA}), who bolted in by a widening 9l while Port Louis (Maurice {Jpn}) was second at Moonee Valley. Prince Of Tokyo (Sizzling) will wait for another day following the postponement of the Benalla meeting.
