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.
Friday, we look at a gelding in Canberra from the Charlety Star (Arena) family, while at Sale, a Coolmore gelding from the first crop of American Pharoah (USA) is backing up a winning record. In Western Australia, we pay attention to a filly who comes from the extended family of She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice).
Canberra, Race 1, 1.10pm AEST, Maxine Mitchell – Worksforyou H., $22,000, 1200m
Texerro, 3-year-old gelding (Pierro x Breannon {Charge Forward})
This gelding was a last-start second on this track on March 30, which was his first race. Trained by Richard Litt at Warwick Farm, he’s been impressive in his trials this preparation, finishing no worse than second. In this race, he’ll have jockey Jack Martin from barrier two.
Texerro comes from a very progressive family. He’s a son of the Charge Forward mare Breannon who, as a daughter of Charlety Star, is a half-sister to the stakes winner Najoom (Northern Meteor), who in turn is the dam of the very smart Emirates Park stakes winner last year, Najmaty (I Am Invincible).
Texerro as a yearling | Image courtesy Magic Millions
At the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Texerro was consigned by Segenhoe Stud and sold to Aquis Farm for $500,000.
Sale, Race 5, 3.20pm AEST, Powered Solutions Up and Comers, $150,000, 1717m
Ancient Egypt, 3-year-old gelding (American Pharoah {USA} x Spiced {Exceed And Excel})
This gelding has raced twice for Peter Moody, and last time out he was first at Pakenham over a mile just a fortnight ago. He had Luke Nolen aboard in that race, and he’ll have Jamie Kah for this one from barrier seven.
Ancient Egypt appeared in the Coolmore draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was from the first crop of American Pharoah (USA) and his dam, Spiced, is a half-sister to both Solace (Bernardini {USA}), who won the Listed Geelong Classic, and Honeywine (Street Cry {Ire}), who was second in the G3 Gloaming S.
Ancient Egypt as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Ancient Egypt was well-bought by Moody for $150,000 and this is the same family as the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt), and Seaburge (Sebring), the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner.
Ascot, Race 2, 3.43pm AEST (1.43pm local), Heineken 3 Mdn, $20,000, 1100m
Alsephina, 3-year-old filly (Star Turn x Delta Gee {Street Cry {Ire}})
This filly for Grant Williams at Karnup trialled extensively in 2021, and she was second this preparation in a Belmont trial on March 14. It means she’s returned on-song for her debut race, and she’ll have the experience of jockey Chris Parnham from the inside draw.
Alsephina wasn’t sold as a yearling, and she’s the third foal from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Delta Gee. Delta Gee won the Listed Natasha S. in Western Australia, and she’s a half-sister to Wave Rock (Blackfriars), who won the same race and who was placed in the G3 WATC Champion Fillies S.
This is an interesting family along the line, featuring stakes winners like Jorda (Exceed And Excel), Espaaniyah (I Am Invincible) and Detours (Ad Valorem {USA}). Lately, it has produced She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice), who was runner-up to the Golden Slipper winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane) in the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce S.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections on Thursday were a mixed bag. At Wyong, Lady Chartwell (Churchill {Ire}) finished last, while at Pakenham, Illation (So You Think {NZ}) was first and Word On The Street (Street Boss {USA}) was second.
