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.
We set our sights to the Sunshine Coast to see $500,000 Savabeel yearling, Savagal (NZ), have her second start for Chris Waller. Then a little further south to see a well-bred Written Tycoon filly make her debut before heading to Stony Creek for an Astern filly making her debut for the Freedman yard.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 2:21pm AEDT (1.21pm local time), Hunted QTIS 3YO Mdn Plate $24,000, 1600m
Savagal (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Valley Girl (NZ) {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
The NZ$500,000 yearling and daughter of Group 1-winning Valley Girl (NZ) by Savabeel has her debut run out of the way, making good ground from the tail of the field to show that she will likely be better suited to an increase in distance, rising from 1400 to 1600 metres tomorrow.
Savagal (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Her dam was well-performed over the mile, winning over the distance and placing at Group 2 level, but scored at Group 1 level in New Zealand over 2000 metres. Valley Girl impressed over longer races, running a close second in the G1 Vinery Stud S. over that same distance before putting in a solid performance in the G1 Australian Oaks over 2400 metres to finish sixth but within a couple of lengths of the winner.
Larry Cassidy has the ride and has drawn well in barrier four.
Savagal has an unraced full brother, Uptown Boy (NZ), purchased for NZ$120,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Premier Yearling Sale this year by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing in partnership with Chris Rutten Bloodstock, First Light Racing and Paul Willetts Bloodstock from vendors Wentwood Grange Stud, Cambridge, NZ.
Bred and raced by Wentwood Grange, Valley Girl now has a 2020 born filly by The Autumn Sun from the first crop of foals by the super star, whose first yearlings will go to sale in just a few weeks at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Ballina, Race 3, 3.10pm AEDT, Damplok Waterproofing Maiden Plate, $24,000, 1200m
Mon Cadeau, 3-year-old gelding (Xtravagant {NZ} x Alezan Thunder {Written Tycoon})
A first starter for Eagle Farm trainer Bryan Dais, Mon Cadeau showed plenty in his two Doomben trials over the past month for a second followed by a win, both over 1000 metres.
Dam Alezan Thunder ran third in the R. Listed Magic Millions Classic and also the Listed VRC Ottawa S. and was a two-time winner, and also ran second twice, as a 2-year-old. Her first three foals are all winners.
By the same sire as He’s Xceptional, who won the Listed McKenzie S. at Moonee Valley in August, Mon Cadeau will jump from barrier nine. A jockey has not been appointed at this time.
Stony Creek, Race 4, 2.45pm AEDT, O’Connell Motors Foster Fillies and Mares BM64 H., $25,000, 1100m
Sharwin, 3-year-old filly (Astern x Greytfilly {Ferocity})
Anthony and Sam Freedman take their debut-winning filly Sharwin, which sold at the the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $110,000 to Group One Thoroughbreds to Stony Creek for what will be a competitive fillies and mares' race.
Sharwin as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
By Astern and out of Ferocity mare Greytfilly, which placed at Group 3 level, Sharwin won on debut, and her only start to date, at Kilmore in September before a spell. The impressive effort and solid jump-outs has her looking good in this now small field.
Daniel Moor has the ride and will jump from barrier three.
All three of Greytfilly’s foals to race have been winners, but filly Greyt Love (Denman) was tested when put over distance and Investor (Written Tycoon) is yet to follow up from his maiden win in January this year.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Friday didn't turn up any winners. The first of two choices at Wagga, Al Murree (Al Maher) finished in the second half of the 12-horse field and while Whenitrainsitpours (Your Song) went into its race as favourite, it did not beat a runner home. At Ipswich, Yukanuma (Real Impact {Jpn}) ran second behind a dominant winner.
