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.
A British-bred filly by Frankel (GB) adds intrigue to the meeting at Ararat on Sunday, while a lightly raced 4-year-old will try to build on a promising debut placing when he lines up at Armidale. Across the Tasman, prominent owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela will be represented by a well-related filly on debut at Hastings.
Ararat, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Gorst Rural 3YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1100m
Liam Howley has a first-starter in this event called Frankly Rosie (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was bred in the UK by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock and was foaled in August of 2018.
The filly is by legendary racehorse and outstanding sire Frankel (GB), who leads the British stallion premiership by more than £1 million (AU$1,823,000) in progeny earnings this year, thanks to the likes of Group 1-winning 3-year-olds Adayar (Ire), Hurricane Lane (Ire) and Snow Lantern (GB). Frankel has also had Group 1 success in Australia this year with Hungry Heart and Converge.
Frankly Rosie is out of Azardi (Desert Prince {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Hong Kong Mile winner Glorious Days (Hussonet {USA}). Azardi is the dam of three winners including All Legal (Al Maher), whose six victories included the G2 Villiers S.
Offered by Esker Lodge Australia at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Frankly Rosie was bought for $300,000 by 3 Point Bloodstock.
Frankly Rosie as a yearling
Armidale, Race 3, 2.40pm AEDT, Support Your Local Businesses Maiden Plate, $24,000, 1100m
So Country (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) made his debut over the same course and distance on October 23, finishing second and only 0.2l behind the winner Our Lil Sistar (Charge Forward). Drawn in the exact same barrier of gate five, another strong performance is expected with Ashley Morgan in the saddle.
The 4-year-old is trained and part-owned by Melanie O’Gorman, who paid $100,000 to buy him from Sledmere Stud’s draft at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
The dam of So Country is Are You Devious (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}), who won three races and placed in the Listed Inglewood S. at Riccarton. Are You Devious has had three foals to race, headed by Looking Good (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), a three-race winner in Hong Kong.
So Country (NZ) as a yearling
Hastings, Race 2, 1.35pm NZDT (11.35am AEDT), CR Grace/Bayleys 3YO, NZ$12,000, 1200m
The familiar blue and white hooped colours of Sir Peter Vela, most famously associated with Caulfield and Melbourne Cup heroine Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}), will feature here aboard the champion staying mare’s close relative Golden Hour (Redoute’s Choice).
The 3-year-old filly is a daughter of Ethereal's half-sister Velvet And Satin (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), who herself placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, G2 Royal S. and Listed Soliloquy S. in a quality 3-year-old season. Velvet And Satin is the dam of six winners from eight foals to race, including Listed Welcome S. winner Bespoke (NZ) (Pins).
Her half-sister Ethereal has followed her own racetrack heroics with a successful broodmare career. She is the dam of six winners including Listed winner Seraphim (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and three stakes placegetters, and she is also grandam of Group 1 performers Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Supera (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Velvet And Satin and Ethereal are both daughters of Romanee Conti (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who was a Group winner in New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong and is a three-quarter sister to the Group 1 winner and champion broodmare Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Golden Hour is trained by Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie and makes her debut on Sunday. The 3-year-old has shown promise at the trials, finishing a close second at Cambridge in July and Taupo last month.
Golden Hour's late sire Redoute's Choice
Looking Back
Lady Laguna (Overshare) lived up to expectations with a strong win at Eagle Farm, providing a perfect result as the first-ever runner for Spendthrift stallion Overshare. Montezuma (NZ) (Savabeel) finished fifth at Te Rapa, while Ebhaar (I Am Invincible) was scratched from the Golden Gift.
