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’ll aim to give you something to follow.
On Thursday, we start out at Warrnambool, with a couple of high-profile training partnerships debuting 3-year-olds by Pierro and Winning Rupert, before heading to Wyong, where a well-related son of Snitzel makes his first racetrack appearance.
Warrnambool, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, McCarthy Big Screen Mdn, $35,000, 1700m
Tuki Twelve, 3-year-old gelding (Pierro x Shiraz Attack {Oratorio {Ire}})
Tony and Calvin McEvoy present this 3-year-old for his first start over 1700 metres. You can see why he has been stretched out in distance early on off his recent 900-metre trial win at Ballarat where he was pushed along for much of the straight but showed plenty of stamina to prevail.
Tuki Twelve as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He was a $350,000 buy for Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Alexia Fraser Bloodstock.
His dam, Shiraz Attack, has already produced the three-time winner Pinot Party (Deep Field) and recent Sunshine Coast 2-year-old winner Rose Of Shiraz (Deep Field). She was a four-time winner herself and is from the family of Group 2 winners Faith Hill (Danehill {USA}) and Global Exchange (Dundeel {NZ}) as well as Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}).
Warrnambool, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Raffertys Tavern Mdn, $35,000, 1300m
Anonymous Source, 3-year-old-gelding (Winning Rupert x Suziqueue {Redoute's Choice})
A $180,000 buy for his trainers through the Torryburn Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Sale in 2020, Anonymous Source hails from an American family which has produced several stakes winners. His dam, Suziqueue was unraced but is out of the stakes-placed Smart Strike (Can) mare Suzy Smart (USA), who is a blood-sister to Group 3 winner and sire Pleasant Strike (USA). This gelding's fourth dam, Minstrella (USA) (The Minstrel {Can}), was a dual Group 1 winner.
Anonymous Source as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Anonymous Source hasn't shown a great deal of speed in either of his jump-outs, but he has shown he can finish off stoutly. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have had an impressive strike rate at Warrnambool over the past 18 months and recently won the feature Jericho Cup at the track.
Wyong, Race 5, 4.20pm AEDT, Wyong Rugby League Club Group Mdn, $35,000, 1000m
Nasturtium, 4-year-old horse (Snitzel x Miss Jakeo {Unbridled's Song {USA}})
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have shown some patience with this well-bred 4-year-old but finally, get him to the track here in what looks a winnable maiden. His only public appearance was a third in a Rosehill trial in July. He finished off very stylishly there and early market support from his wide barrier would suggest confidence that he can break through on debut here.
Nasturtium cost Ryan and David Raphael $500,000 as a yearling through the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, where he was the second top lot. He remains in the colours of his breeder Gerry Harvey. It’s easy to see why he fetched $500,000 on his pedigree given his dam, Miss Jakeo has produced Group 1 winner Mrs Onassis (General Nediym) as well as Group 3-winning trio Miss Judgement (Strategic), Fifth Avenue Lady (Encosta De Lago) and Aussies Love Sport (Redoute's Choice).
Looking Back
On Wednesday, Bistro (Street Boss {USA}) as an impressive winner on debut at Sandown, while Shalailed (Shalaa {Ire}) held on for third at Warwick Farm.
