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 Tuesday, a Paul Messara-trained filly looks to retain her winning streak, a Sooboog gelding aims to break his maiden, and a Starcraft (NZ) filly from a strong South American family resumes.
Muswellbrook, Race 1, 12.45pm AEDT, Allweld Services Muswellbrook Class 2 H., $24,000, 1750m
Angelical, 3-year-old filly (Real Impact {Jpn} x Swift Angel {Lonhro})
In-form Real Impact (Jpn) filly Angelical is aiming for a hat-trick of wins having impressed with her victory at Newcastle on debut and then winning narrowly on a Heavy track at Scone. Paul Messara has her progressing very well through her classes and she has come from just off the pace in both her runs
Angelical as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She couldn’t find a buyer when she went through the ring at the Inglis Classic Sale in 2020. Her dam, Swift Angel is a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner Text 'N' Hurley (Hard Spun {USA}) and a granddaughter of the multiple stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter Excited Angel (Don’t Say Halo {USA}).
Muswellbrook, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT, Trapeze Artist & Written By First Yearlings Selling 2022 Mdn, $24,000, 900m
Rockbarton Pat, 3-year-old gelding (Sooboog x Giant's Daughter {Red Giant {USA}})
Homebred gelding Rockbarton Pat debuted for trainer David Atkins with a good second at Newcastle a month ago, sitting close to the pace before being outclassed by a filly, Rita May (Xtravagant {NZ}), who looks to be pretty handy. That performance came off the back of a couple of promising trials.
Sooboog | Standing at Kitchwin Hills
He hails from a family which produced the multiple Group winner and G1 Epsom H. placegetter Rolling Pin (NZ) (Pins), with her dam and this gelding's third dam, Gypsy's Daughter (Mi Preferido {USA}) a dual winner at Listed level. His dam, Giant's Daughter, won three races for trainer Theresa Bateup.
Stony Creek, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Meeniyan Hotel Mdn, $25,000, 1000m
Sweet Alyssum, 3-year-old filly (Starcraft {NZ} x Spring Spirit {Arg} {Southern Halo {USA}})
Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, who already have two winners in 2022, resume Sweet Alyssum, who made just one appearance as a 2-year-old failing to figure in a race at Geelong. She has picked up late ground in both her recent jump-outs to finish midfield. She hit the line quite nicely in her most recent on December 20.
Sweet Alyssum as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She was purchased for $26,000 by Griffiths Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Rosemont Stud. She is out of Argentine-bred mare Spring Spirit (Arg), who has produced four winners, including the multiple stakes-placed Trophies (Casino Prince). Spring Spirit won a trio of stakes races in Argentina and is from a family which has produced multiple Grade 1 winners in South America, including Gold Spring (Arg) (Gold Trojan {USA}) and Southern Spring (Arg) (Southern Halo {USA}).
Looking Back
It was double joy for Looking Ahead followers on Sunday with Amity Gal (Shamus Award) winning at the Sunshine Coast and Matron Bullwinkel (So You Think {NZ}) successful at Cranbourne,
Our third selection, Pascero (Pierro), was scratched on Sunday, but did break his maiden in some style at Sandown on Monday.
