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 take a closer look at the prospects at Randwick of an expensive trial-winning juvenile by Exceed And Excel while at Newcastle we like the chances of 3-year-olds by I Am Invincible and Real Impact (Jpn).
Randwick, Race 3, 1pm AEST, G3 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate, $160,000, 1000m
Psychiatrist (Exceed And Excel) was bred by A List Stud and bought out of Vinery Stud’s draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $1.05 million by Tony Fung Investments. He is the first foal of the winning Lonhro mare Sanity, a sister to the G3 Research S. winner Trim, who produced the G3 How Now S. winner Manicure (Exceed And Excel). Also under the first dam is the G1 Makybe Diva S. winner Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}).
Exceed And Excel, sire of Psychiatrist | Standing at Darley
Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Psychiatrist made his only trial appearance last month on the Kensington track at Randwick and led all the way to win without being pushed out. He has drawn ideally in gate four and should make a bold bid for victory under rider Tommy Berry.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Prosperity Advisers H., $35,000, 900m
I Am Geronimo (I Am Invincible) was bred by Strawberry Hill Stud, who remains in the ownership group after he failed to meet his $300,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. A half-brother to multiple winner Swan Cap (Snitzel), he is out of the More Than Ready (USA) mare Joy Of Joys, who is a sister to the eight-time Group 1 winner More Joyous. Their dam Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}) was successful in the G1 Australian Oaks.
I Am Geronimo as a yearling
Trained by Chris Waller, I Am Geronimo showed promise when he finished third at Kembla Grange at his only appearance as a 2-year-old. He was given a quiet trial last month and should get every chance to shine from barrier three in the hands of Lee Magorrian.
Newcastle, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Strathayr Mdn H., $35,000, 1400m
The John O’Shea-trained Kokoro (Real Impact {Jpn}) has enjoyed three trial outings ahead of his debut and wasn’t pressured to finish runner-up in the latest of them at Rosehill. The colt has an awkward draw to contend with, but if he gets any early luck he promises to be right in the finish.
Real Impact (Jpn), sire of Kokoro | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Kokoro was bred by Gilgai Farm and purchased out of its Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale draft by O’Shea and Boomer Bloodstock for $160,000. He is a son of Close To My Heart (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to the G2 Ascot Royal Lodge S. winner Admiralofthefleet (USA) (Danehill {USA}). She is out of a sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Coup De Folie (USA) (Halo {USA}), who produced the top-flight winners and successful sires Machiavellian (USA) and Exit To Nowhere (USA).
Looking Back
At Te Rapa, our selection The Landing (NZ) (Tivaci) was an impressive winner at the first time of asking while Enuff He Said (Rich Enuff) was fourth at Echuca. Finanza D’Oro (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was out of the placings at Moonee Valley.
