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 Kensington, we look at a half-brother to the R. Listed winner Unite And Conquer as well as the first foal from the brilliant race mare First Seal (Fastnet Rock). At Sandown, we pay attention to another sibling to a R. Listed winner in Espaaniyah (I Am Invincible).
Kensington, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, Ranvet Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Mission Value, 3-year-old colt (Capitalist x Maglissa {Magnus})
This Mark Newnham-trained colt has had just one start to date, and it was a good one. In December 2020 he was third in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery to Acrobat (Fastnet Rock) and he wasn’t seen again until this preparation. He has eased into contention after a long layoff with two trials through February, the last of which saw him fourth home.
Mission Value is well-bred. From the first crop of Capitalist, he is from the Magnus mare Maglissa, and as such is a half-brother to the R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic winner Unite And Conquer, who also won the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. This is also the family of the brilliant second dam Danglissa (Danzero), who won a stack of Group events, including the G1 Flight S. and G2 Tea Rose S., among others.
Mission Value as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mission Value cost $70,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He was consigned by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm for Fitzwood, and he was purchased by the Hong Kong-based W.B. Cheng.
Kensington, Race 2, 2.20pm AEDT, Schweppes Plate, $50,000, 1400m
Naval Seal, 3-year-old gelding (Snitzel x First Seal {Fastnet Rock})
There is no getting away from the breeding of this Chris Waller horse. Three-year-old Naval Seal is the first foal from the brilliant race mare First Seal, who won the G1 Flight S., G2 Tea Rose S. and G2 Surround S., along with two other Group events. She had the rare honour of defeating Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) in the Flight S.
Naval Seal began his life as auspiciously as his dam. He topped the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, selling from the draft of Sledmere Stud to Tom Magnier for $1.8 million.
Naval Seal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This will be the 3-year-old’s second race. He began this preparation with a pair of easy trials at Rosehill before debuting at Newcastle 10 days ago on a Heavy track. He was second in that event, and will have the benefit of James McDonald this time on a better track from barrier four.
Sandown-Hillside, Race 1, 2.30pm AEDT, Ladbroke It! H., $50,000, 1000m
Lalaguna, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Catalonia {Flying Spur})
This filly from the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace stable has just an unplaced Cranbourne trial behind her heading into this race, but she has the Jamie Kah factor behind her from barrier six in this race. She will wear blinkers for the first time.
Lalaguna is by I Am Invincible from the Flying Spur mare Catalonia, making her a full sister to the R. Listed Inglis Nursery winner Espaaniyah. Catalonia was a half-sister to the G3 Kennedy S. and Listed Gimcrack S. winner Jorda (Exceed And Exceed), while this is also the family of the Group 3 winners Detours (Ad Valorem {USA}) and Aichi (Strategic), and the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Kinshachi (Commands).
Lalaguna as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lalaguna was sold to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Mathiesen Racing at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $620,000. She was consigned by Tyreel Stud.
Looking Back
Our Looking Back selections for Tuesday went well. At Ballarat, Adament (Hellbent) was second and Do Ya Punk (Unencumbered) was a winner. At Hawkesbury, Chief Conductor (I Am Invincible) was fourth.
