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 Friday, a half-sister to a Group 1 winner kicks off at Geelong, before a Godolphin filly by Written Tycoon takes our eye at Canterbury, and an imposing son of Lonhro at Moonee Valley.
Geelong, Race 2, 1.45pm AEDT, Ultima Hotel Mdn, $25,000, 1318m
Stormy Mistress, 3-year-old filly (Starspangledbanner x Kamuniak {NZ} {Black Minnaloushe {USA}})
A half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon (Magnus), Stormy Mistress carries a bit of expectation into her debut. She races for the same interests, that of breeder and managing owner Phil Warren, with the same trainer, Shane Nichols, as the Futurity S., and CF Orr S. winner, as well as his metropolitan-winning sister Orlando Grove (Magnus).
Their dam, Kamuniak (NZ), is a sister to dual Group 1 winner Jokers Wild (NZ), from an extended family which also contains Group 1 winners Ivory's Irish (Best Western) and Turffontein. Stormy Mistress looked sharp in a recent Moe jump-out, when beaten narrowly, and it would be no surprise to see her win here first-up.
Canterbury, Race 2, 6.30pm AEDT, TAB Mdn H., $50,000, 1100m
Minouche, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Amoret {Snitzel})
Godolphin don’t tend to buy a lot of yearlings through the sales in Australia and when it does, it is usually a filly which can slot nicely into its broodmare band in time. Minouche, a $200,000 purchase from Redbank North/Huntworth Stud's draft at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale looks to fit that mould.
She is by the current Champion sire out of a Snitzel mare who is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Single Gaze (Not A Single Doubt) and a sister to Listed winner Le Val (Snitzel).
Featuring a similar white blaze as her sire, Minouche has trailled quite nicely of late, sitting on the pace and finishing second at Warwick Farm and Canterbury.
Minouche as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Moonee Valley, Race 8, 9.40pm AEDT, Drummond Golf H., $60,000, 1200m
That Contageous, 3-year-old gelding (Lonhro x Glowing Tribute {Zeditave})
Standing at 17.3 hh, That Contageous is a big unit who could have a big future based off his dominant win at Mornington last time out. He sailed straight to the front there, cleared out and then held on over the 1200 metres in what was his first run since being unplaced behind subsequent Group 1 winner Artorius (Flying Artie) at Sandown as a 2-year-old.
Trainer Matt Laurie has enjoyed success with the progeny of Glowing Tribute, with Master Reset (Reset) a winner of 10 races, as well as La Bella Costa (Von Costa De Hero). Glowing Tribute’s dam by Sir Tristram (Ire) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Aerosmith (NZ) (Indian Ore {USA}). This is also the extended family of G1 Golden Slipper winner Belle Du Jour (Dehere {USA}) and the G1 The Goodwood H. winner Perfectly Ready.
Looking Back
Tuki Twelve (Pierro) saluted for Looking Ahead followers on debut at Warrnambool while our other runner, Anonymous Source (Winning Rupert), ran sixth. Our third selection was scratched.
