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 Thursday, a Capitalist gelding debuts for Anthony and Sam Freedman at Moe, while at Wyong, Avantage's (Fastnet Rock) sister steps out for her first start and a promising 3-year-old from Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's stable resumes.
Moe, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, CME Installations Mdn, $35,000, 1117m
Yishay (Capitalist) debuts for Anthony and Sam Freedman, who along with Blue Sky Bloodstock, paid $200,000 for him at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds. He is the first foal from Group 2-winning mare Jessy Belle (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who is a granddaughter of multiple Group 1 winner Flitter (Bluebird {USA}).
Yishay pictured as a yearling
He has had a couple of recent jump-outs at Mornington and in the most recent, he closed nicely from the rear of the field to finish fourth in the manner of a horse that should not be too long breaking his maiden.
Wyong, Race 2, 1.45pm AEST, Canadian Club Mdn H. $35,000, 1200m
There are several interesting runners in this race, but it will be Mystic Mermaid (Fastnet Rock) which has our attention on debut for Chris Waller. She is a sister to nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage, who sold for NZ$4.1 million to Tom Magnier last week. This filly, unlike Avantage, was retained by Go Bloodstock. Their half-sister Asathought (So You Think {NZ}), has been stakes placed.
Mystic Mermaid looked pretty sharp at a recent Rosehill trial, where she was ridden with cover and then produced a string finish under a very soft ride to win. She improved significantly from her first trial this time in and looks ready to make an impression on her debut.
Wyong, Race 3, 2.20pm AEST, Choose To Drink Wise Mdn, $35,000, 1350m
Garmish (Snitzel) showed enough at his first campaign to suggest he will be soon breaking his maiden. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt tackled a Canterbury mid-week race on debut in June and finished fourth before improving to finish second at his next start at Newcastle. He resumes off a soft trial.
He was a $450,000 buy for Aquis Farm and Gerald Ryan at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield. His imported dam Sananda (Ire) (Anabaa {USA}) has already produced two winners and is a half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) as well as a host of other European stakes winners from one of the Aga Khan's better families.
Garmish pictured as a yearling
Looking Back
Looking Ahead was able to highlight another winner on Wednesday with the impressive Chris Waller-trained Able Willie (Written Tycoon) proving too good on debut.
Diamond Back (Frankel {GB}) couldn't get the job done at her first start at Geelong, while our other selection, Oriental Legend (Snitzel), was scratched on race morning.
