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 Sunday, we take a global approach, starting out in New Zealand with a son of Turn Me Loose (NZ), then to Echuca, where a Zoustar filly steps out, before it's off to Sha Tin to track the first-up effort of a Hinchinbrook gelding.
Pukekohe Park, Race 4, 11.43pm AEST (1.43pm local), Haunui Farm 1100, NZ$15,000, 1100m
Loose Choice (NZ), 2-year-old gelding (Turn Me Loose {NZ} x Her Choice {NZ} {Coats Choice})
Loose Choice (NZ) takes on the older horses at Pukekohe Park and has trialled up reasonably well for trainer Nick Bishara, finishing fifth. He led up on that occasion, but lost his way a little bit up the straight. He should be better educated off that hitout.
A homebred for the Cochrane family, he is out of the three-time winner Her Choice, who is out of Sky Haven (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), a three-quarter sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Dr Grace (NZ), a family that also included Group 1 winners English Wonder (Twig Moss {Fr}), Asia (Danehill {NZ}) and Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad).
Echuca, Race 1, 1.10pm AEST, Border Inn 2YO Fillies Mdn, $25,000, 1100m
Zouperb, 2-year-old filly (Zoustar x Alberton Park {NZ} {Thorn Park})
Zouperb was purchased by her trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr for $120,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Lime Country. She is from a highly successful family, with her dam, Alberton Park (NZ), a Listed-winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Lady Alberton (Ire) and three-quarter sister to stakes winners Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Magic Briar (NZ) (Thorn Park). Group 1 winners Brutal (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) feature on the page.
Zouperb as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She looked pretty good at her most recent jump-out at Cranbourne, working home well to finish second, when asked for an effort. Off an inside barrier, she should get a comfortable run for Patrick Moloney and be in the finish.
Sha Tin, Race 3, 4pm AEST (2pm local), Tai O H., HK$1,004,000, 1200m
Jumbo Legend, 3-year-old gelding (Hinchinbrook x Morinda {Desert King {Ire}})
Jumbo Legend was well sought-after at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale, where George Moore paid the third-highest price of the week, $380,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud draft, to get him to Hong Kong. He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Prix Du Sang (Red Ransom {USA}) - the dam of recent G2 Alister Clark S. winner Prix Du Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) - as well as Listed-placed Happy Hussy (Hussonet {USA}).
Jumbo Legend as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Also featuring on the page are Group 1 winners Kementari and Telperion (Street Cry {Ire}) and recent stakes winner Express Pass (Wandjina). He debuts for Caspar Fownes with Blake Shinn in the saddle.
Looking Back
It was a tough day for our selections on Saturday with Easterly (Pride Of Dubai) finishing eighth on debut at Caulfield, and Killiako (Maurice {Jpn}) and Always On My Mind (Deep Impact {Jpn}) near the rear of the field at Morphettville.
