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.
Wednesday at Sandown, we look at a gelding from the same family as an Oakleigh Plate winner, plus a filly from a half-sister to a G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S. winner. At Ipswich, we give some attention to a debuting colt that is closely related to Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt).
Sandown, Race 2, 3.05pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Switch H., $50,000, 1400m
Jester, 3-year-old gelding (Star Witness x Fiery Jest {Testa Rossa})
This 3-year-old gelding from the Chris Waller yard at Flemington has crept steadily since debuting at Pakenham in early February. He was second that day and then won his next outing at Ballarat by a comfortable 2l. He had jockey Craig Williams on both occasions, and he’ll have him again in this event.
Jester’s good record is complemented by a nice pedigree. He was a $200,000 purchase for Hawkes Racing initially at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, consigned by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm. This horse is from the Testa Rossa mare Fiery Jest, who was a half-sister to the very decent Singaporean horse Spanish Bay (Nadeem) and the Listed-placed Casino Belle (Casino Prince).
Jester as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This is the family of Captivation (Vain), who was Group-placed herself before foaling the very good stakes winner Khaptivaan (Adraan {GB}). Khaptivaan is the dam of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Khaptingly (Bletchingly).
Sandown, Race 4, 4.15pm AEDT, Ladbroke It! H., $50,000, 1300m
Morean, 3-year-old filly (Divine Prophet x Kalamata {Desert Prince {Ire}})
This filly got off to a terrific start in February, breaking her maiden at Sale at the first time of asking. She is trained at Mornington by Anthony and Sam Freedman, and she has a slightly stiffer ask in this race from barrier 11.
Morean is by the Aquis Farm stallion Divine Prophet, and she was consigned by that operation to the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she sold to Bahen Bloodstock for $180,000. She’s from the Listed-winning mare Kalamata and, as such, this filly is a half-sister to the G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S. winner Stirling Grove (Mossman).
Morean as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
There are plenty of good names on this page, including Hucklebuck (Elvstroem), who won the G1 Emirates S., G3 Colin Hayes S. and G3 Yellowglen S. There’s also Liberty Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was second in the Listed Talindert S.
Ipswich, Race 3, 3.48pm AEDT (2.48pm local), Ray White Ipswich QTIS 2YO Mdn, $37,000, 1100m
Jamaican Rumba, 2-year-old colt (Shalaa {Ire} x Amelia’s Love {Blackfriars})
This unraced 2-year-old colt has trialled very well leading into this, his maiden race, with a second and a win at the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast through February. He’ll meet a similarly inexperienced field in this event, but he comes from the stable of Toby and Trent Edmonds and he’ll have Ryan Maloney aboard.
Jamaican Rumba was a 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds, costing $260,000 from the draft of Segenhoe Stud. He is the second foal from the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) winner Amelia’s Love, who is a half-sister to no less than Karuta Queen.
Jamaican Rumba as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This colt being by Shalaa (Ire) will also stand him nicely, with the Arrowfield stallion doing very well right now. Shalaa has had 30 Australian-bred winners this season, including last weekend’s G2 Reisling S. winner Seven Veils.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Tuesday were a mixed bag. At Ballarat, Crosswinds (Written Tycoon) was a winner, while Draft Day (NZ) (Tivaci) was unplaced. At Wagga, I Am Richenuff (Rich Enuff) was a late scratching.
