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.
Thursday, we look at a James Harron colt debuting at Newcastle, and at Wagga, a filly from a very old family in Western Australia. At Pakenham, we pay attention to a debutant gelding from a stakes-winning Tasmanian line.
Newcastle, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Kloster Motor Group 2YO Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
One Reason, 2-year-old colt (Capitalist x Otsanda {Snitzel})
This unraced Capitalist colt in the James Harron colours comes from the Snowden yard, and he’s had two trials this preparation. He was fourth at Randwick in mid-February and first last time out nearly a fortnight ago, making him ripe for this first start.
One Reason was purchased by James Harron Bloodstock at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, consigned by Carramar Park and sold for $180,000.
One Reason as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
His dam, the Snitzel mare Otsanda, is well-related as a half-sister to the dam of the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Furnaces (Exceed And Excel). This is also the family of a number of important stakes horses in recent history, including Melito (Redoute’s Choice), who won a stack of Group races that included the G1 TJ Smith S., and the Arrowfield stallion Pariah.
Wagga, Race 6, 5.55pm AEDT, Linx Finance Pty Ltd Mdn, $24,000, 1200m
Annapat, 3-year-old filly (Mosayter {USA} x Spice It Up {Old Spice})
This 3-year-old filly is unraced and one of only two debutantes in this field, with a number of vastly more experienced horses lining up. She was unplaced in a single trial this preparation, and she has drawn near-widest in barrier 12.
Nevertheless, Annapat comes into this event with an interesting pedigree behind her. By the Shadwell-bred stallion Mosayter (USA), who was the sire of the very useful Western Australian Group 1 winner Mr Moet, she is a daughter of the broodmare Spice It Up (Old Spice), who was bred by Bob Peters.
Spice It Up is a daughter of National Glory (Royal Academy {USA}), making her a half-sister to G2 Winterbottom S. winner Glory Hunter (Metal Storm {Fr}). This is an old Western Australian family that also features the Group 3 winner Stray Bullet (Jevington) and her stakes-winning half-brother Dangervorn (Zvornik).
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Cormack Plumbing 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1200m
Don Diego, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado {Ire} x Tottenham Girl {Dash For Cash})
This unraced gelding is trained by Greg Eurell at Cranbourne, and he comes into this debut with a winning jump-out over 1000 metres in late February. He’s one of a number of debutants in this field, and he’s got barrier eight with apprentice Thomas Stockdale in the saddle.
Don Diego was a $100,000 purchase for his trainer at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. He is from the Dash For Cash mare Tottenham Girl, who is a half-sister to the South Australian stakes winner Lucky Penny (Keep The Faith).
Don Diego as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The second dam in this family, White Hart Lane (Flying Spur), was multiple stakes-placed and a daughter of the Listed winner Escapada (Weasel Clause). The latter was a sister to The Old China (Old Crony {USA}), who was a Tasmanian Listed winner and second in the G3 Tasmanian Oaks.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Wednesday were very unlucky. Both Mission Value (Capitalist) and Naval Seal (Snitzel) were part of Kensington's abandoned meeting, and Lalaguna (I Am Invincible) was unplaced at Sandown.
