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 Saturday, we will start the day off in the opening event at Randwick with the much anticipated China Horse Club-owned debutant before turning our attention to a 900-metre dash for the 2-year-olds at Newcastle.
We will stick to the same theme and round out the day at Caulfield in another juvenile contest.
Randwick, Race 1, 12.25pm AEDT, Coolmore Pierro Plate, $150,000, 1100m
Metallicity, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Captivating Claire {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Metallicity makes his long-awaited debut after three ultra-impressive trial victories to his name.
Metallicity looks to be an above-average juvenile and is forward enough to be winning after putting a minor setback behind him when narrowly saluting under James McDonald in a 900-metre Randwick trial on January 31.
A $340,000 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock, Metallicity is a half-brother to G3 Gimcrack S. and G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner Catch Me (I Am Invincible).
His dam Captivating Claire is out of the New Zealand Group 3-placed Markisa (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), making her a half-sister to Listed-winning Ocean Park (NZ) mare Ocean Jewel (NZ).
Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Group 1-winning sprinter Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) feature in this family.
Metallicity as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Newcastle, Race 3, 1.46pm AEDT, Bonvilla Estate 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 900m
Ponca, 2-year-old filly (American Pharoah {USA} x Forest Native {USA}})
The Alan Bell-owned Ponca is set to make her debut after a pleasing Hawkesbury trial victory on February first.
Jean Van Overmeire rode the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained filly in the trial and sticks for this contest.
The only knock is barrier nine of 12 but Ponca looks to possess the speed and precocity required to fire over 900 metres.
A $400,000 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by the Freedman Brothers and China Horse Club, Ponca is a half-sister to Foxwedge, Listed winner She’s A Fox (Fastnet Rock) and the dam of the Group 2-placed of Litchfield County (Sebring).
Ponca’s American Listed-placed dam Forest Native is out of a Listed winner has a wealth of American black type in her pedigree.
Ponca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Caulfield, Race 4, 2.25pm AEDT, G2 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), $300,000, 1100m
English Riviera, 2-year-old filly (Deep Field x Second Time Lucky {NZ} {Any Suggestion})
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained English Riviera will be out to emulate the feats of her juvenile stablemate Xtravagant Star (Xtravagant {NZ}), who took out last Saturday’s lucrative R. Listed Inglis Millennium at Randwick, when she steps out for her second career start.
The Seymour Bloodstock-owned English Riviera was heavily supported in betting on debut at Flemington and managed to finish 0.8l second behind Lofty Strike (Snitzel) after leading the field down the straight.
She will be better for that run and could take the race by the scruff of the neck if Mark Zahra opts to be positive from barrier one.
A $260,000 2021 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Mark Pilkington Management (FBAA), English Riviera is the third foal out of the New Zealand Listed winner Second Time Lucky, who herself is out of a half-sister to G3 Autumn S. winner Nick On The Run (Niccolo Polo {USA}).
Second Time Lucky’s third dam is the G3 Easter Cup winner Paraparap (Manihi), herself the dam of two Listed winners.
English Riviera as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Looking Back
Friday's selections got off to a great start with Plagiarized (Exceed And Excel) winning at Moonee Valley. It was then a third for Aton Of Delight (I Am Invincible) at Canterbury but Francine (Kuroshio) couldn't continue her winning streak finishing last at The Valley.
