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, a Hellbent filly commands attention at Ipswich, a son of Sooboog looks for a breakthrough win at Warrnambool, while a half-sister to a Group 1 winner aims for a maiden success at Goulburn.
Ipswich, Race 1, 2.28pm AEDT (1.28pm local), Follow @IpswichTurfClub QTIS 2YO Mdn, $26,000, 800m
Hello Angel, 2-year-old filly (Hellbent x Tiyatro {Encosta De Lago})
In what promises to be a bit of a scamper, the Hellbent filly Hello Angel looks a good chance to make an impression on debut for Rex Lipp and Nicholas Hahn. She was quite professional in a recent Toowoomba barrier trial, tracking the leader and then finishing off along the rail for a narrow second.
This filly is a half-sister to Listed winner Tiyotrolani (Captain Sonador), who is the dam of a couple of expensive yearlings by Spirit Of Boom. Their dam, Toyatro, has produced five winners in total and is a blood-sister to Group 1 winner Delago Deluxe. That family also includes further Group 1 winners and sires in Excites and Tickets.
Lipp Racing paid $55,000 for Hello Angel at the 2021 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Eureka Stud.
Hello Angel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Warrnambool, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, Cassign Mdn, $25,000, 1400m
Soobmerged, 3-year-old gleding (Sooboog x Ocean Spirit {Fastnet Rock})
A grandson of multiple Group 1 winner Yosei (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Soobmerged made his first appearance for his new trainer, Lindsey Smith, at this track two weeks ago, when finishing fourth. He had previously been placed in three consecutive starts, doing a fair bit wrong in the process. He gets both the blinkers and crossover nose band for the first time here, which could prove the key to getting him to break his maiden.
Offered by his breeders at Morning Rise Stud, he was a $6500 buy for his former trainer Belinda O'Loughlin as a weanling at the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Sale. His dam Ocean Spirit was unraced, and, as mentioned, she is a daughter of the Group 1 winner Yosei, who has produced two winners, including the stakes-placed Mission River (Redoute's Choice).
Sooboog | Standing at Kitchwin Hills
Goulburn, Race 6, 4.30pm AEDT, Goulburn Produce Mdn, $24,00, 1300m
We’ve Got Tonight (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ocean Park {NZ} x Night Danza {Danzero})
This John O'Shea-trained filly showed a bit of talent in her first campaign, beaten just 1.4l on debut and then finishing fourth at this track, in a race where subsequent G1 VRC Oaks winner Willowy (Kermadec {NZ}), ran second. She has had two trials at Randwick this campaign and after just being beaten in the first, was able to win her second.
We’ve Got Tonight carries a nomination for the G1 Australian Oaks and when you look at her pedigree, you can understand why she is regarded as having significant potential. She is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as well as Le Gai Soleil (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who won for O'Shea at Randwick on the weekend. Like that pair, she is a homebred for Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax.
Ocean Park (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
Looking Back
On Wednesday, Dashing Legend (Snitzel) ran third on debut at Randwick Kensington as did Charlie's Case (Myboycharlie {Ire}) at Doomben while our third selection, Classic Malt (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), was scratched.
