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.
A number of interesting young horses will be in action on Easter Sunday, including a 2-year-old on the Sunshine Coast who’s shown promise in his first two starts, a well-related first-starter at Mornington, and a classy daughter of Redoute’s Choice at Nowra.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Vili’s Family Bakery Mdn H., $26,000, 1000m
Invinovich, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Soviet Secret {Eavesdropper {USA}})
Taking on older rivals here in his third career start, 2-year-old colt Invinovich comes into the race with solid form credentials. He finished second and third in his two previous appearances, both over the same course and distance as this race, and beaten by slender margins of 0.1l and 0.6l. Trained by Natalie McCall, Invinovich has drawn the inside gate on Sunday and will be ridden by James Orman.
Invinovich as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Invinovich was bred by Glenlogan Park, who offered him at the 2021 Inglis Classic Sale, where he was bought by Nat McCall Racing for $150,000.
The I Am Invincible colt is the only foal to race out of Soviet Secret, who herself was a winner on the racetrack and also placed in the G3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., Listed Merson Cooper S. and the R. Listed Inglis 2YO Classic.
Mornington, Race 3, 2.15pm AEST, The Big Screen Company Plate, $25,000, 1200m
Celsius Star, 3-year-old colt (Zoustar x Celsius {Commands})
The Phillip Stokes-trained Celsius Star makes his career debut in this event, jumping from gate 10 with Zac Spain in the saddle.
Celsius Star was bred in Victoria by Tara Farm Pty Ltd, and he was offered by Rosemont Stud at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. He was passed in on both occasions.
Celsius Star as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
By Zoustar, Celsius Star is out of the Commands mare Celsius, who is a half-sister to G1 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi (Sidestep). She is also a three-quarter sister to stakes winners Cossetot (Epaulette) and Soul (Commands), and comes from the family of Group 1 winner and sire Denman, as well as Group 1 winner and outstanding broodmare Preserve (Canny Lad).
Nowra, Race 3, 3pm AEST, The Easter Bunny Class 1 H., $24,000, 1100m
Sinaloa, 3-year-old filly (Redoute’s Choice x Happy Valentine {SAf} {Silvano {Ger}})
Bjorn Baker saddles the well-credentialled Sinaloa here, with Ashley Morgan booked to ride the filly from gate four. This will be the third career start for Sinaloa, who won on debut at Orange on March 22, then finished third at Mudgee on April 3.
Baker and Clarke Bloodstock paid $100,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale to buy Sinaloa, who was offered by Arrowfield Stud on behalf of breeders Team Valor Pty Ltd and Drakenstein Stud.
Sinaloa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sinaloa boasts quality pedigree credentials, being by Redoute’s Choice out of Happy Valentine (SAf), who won the G1 Allan Robertson Champion in South Africa. A half-sister to Group 2 winner Happy Forever (SAf) (Var {USA}), Happy Valentine is the dam of two winners from three foals to race.
Looking Back
Our Good Friday selections all performed with credit, headed by a stylish debut victory by Alsephina (Star Turn) at Ascot. Ancient Egypt (American Pharoah {USA}) was a third placegetter at Sale, while Texerro (Pierro) finished fourth at Canberra.
