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 kickstart proceedings at Warrnambool with a debutant who impressed in a recent jump-out before waiting until the second event at Pakenham’s night meeting for a progressive Shalaa (Ire) filly.
We will round out the day in Race 3 at Pakenham with an Orbis Bloodstock-owned gelding from the Chris Waller camp.
Warrnambool, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Bamstone Mdn Plate, $25,000, 1300m
The Big Heist (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Vanbrugh x Hot Stash {Secret Savings {USA}})
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained The Big Heist looks ready to fire on debut after winning a 1000 metre Terang jump-out on January 5 in style. In-form apprentice Alana Kelly has been booked to ride The Big Heist and will need to overcome a somewhat sticky gate, barrier 10 of 14.
Bred by Windsor Park Stud and purchased for $50,000 at the 2020 Inglis Sydney Ready2Race Sale by Mick Price Racing and Breeding via the draft of Prima Park, The Big Heist is a half-brother to the Listed-winning, G1 Tarzino Trophy-placed Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}).
The duo’s dam Hot Stash is out of a Listed-placed three quarter-sister to the four-time Group 3-winning Zabarra (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Hot Stash’s grandam is the G2 Magic Night S.-winning, G1 Golden Slipper S. fourth placegetter Fickle Hostess (Lunchtime). Her third dam is Vaindarra (Vain), herself a G2 Silver Sipper-winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up.
The Big Heist (NZ) as a 2-year-old | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Gippsland Premium Quarries Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1600m
Shalily, 3-year-old filly (Shalaa {Ire} x Lilyfield {Redoute’s Choice})
The Danny O’Brien-trained Shalily is knocking the door down after three solid showings to date without winning. Second on debut, Shalily backed that up with a 3.2l fourth at Sandown before getting back last start on a rain-affected Cranbourne surface to run on well into third.
The extra 200 metres on offer here looks right up her alley, so expect a bold showing with luck in running.
A $40,000 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase by O’Brien Thoroughbreds via the draft of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, Shalily is out of the unplaced Lilyfield (Redoute’s Choice), a daughter of the G1 VRC Oaks-placed Empress Lily (Zabeel {NZ}).
Empress Lily is a half-sister to the G3 Epona S. fourth placegetter Tigress Lily (Snitzel), who is the dam of G3 Ethereal S. winner Daisies (Sebring) and the Listed-placed Motown Lil (Sebring).
Lilyfield’s grandam is the three-time Group 1 winner Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who was placed at the top level on a further five occasions, including the G1 Cox Plate. Tycoon Lil is the dam of the Listed-winning, G1 Schweppes Oaks runner-up Estee (Redoute’s Choice).
Shalily as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Tasmanian Magic Millions Voucher 3YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1400m
Octha, 3-year-old gelding (All Too Hard x Spoils {Snitzel})
The Chris Waller-trained and Orbis Bloodstock-owned, Octha has only been seen publicly on one occasion when finishing last in a Werribee jump-out on January 10.
There was plenty of merit in Octha’s jump-out despite his inability to beat a runner home. So, expect him to be forward enough to figure under the guidance of Daniel Stackhouse.
A $300,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Vinery Stud, Ochta is the first foal out of the G3 Chairman S.-placed Spoils, a daughter of the Listed-placed Fortune Of War (General Nediym).
Fortune Of War is a half-sister to Group winners Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau), Dollar For Dollar (High Chaparral {Ire}), Sertorius (Galileo {Ire}) and Clifton Red (Sebring).
She is also a half-sister to G1 SA Derby runner-up Rezealient (Sebring) and the Listed-placed I Am Titanium (Flying Spur).
Octha as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Looking Back
Our first selection, Jawaani (Shalaa {Ire}) managed to claim third on debut at Newcastle while our second selection Masako (Real Impact {Jpn}) added another placing to her resume when finishing third in the first event at Sandown.
Our final selection Dubai Dee (Pride Of Dubai) finished fourth at Ipswich on debut.
