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 at Ballarat, the first race on the card sees a number of nicely bred juveniles engaged, with seven of the nine runners set to debut. Of particular interest is a Redoute's Choice filly.
We then head to the Sunshine Coast where a filly by a gun local sire from a star mare is on debut, further down the racecard we look to a half-brother to a Listed winner.
Ballarat, Race 1, 1.10pm AEST, The Haymarket 2YO H., $35,000, 1100m
Miss Passion, 2-year-old filly (Redoute’s Choice x Mella Maria {Star Witness})
The Peter Moody-trained filly is on debut and will jump from barrier seven under Blaike McDougall.
By Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, Miss Passion is Mella Maria’s second foal; her first is an unarced 3-year-old filly Bella Maria (Golden Horn {GB}).
Miss Passion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Miss Passion was bred and offered by New South Wales' Fernrigg Farm at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and was purchased Moody Racing and Tasman Bloodstock for $750,000.
Mella Maria won three races in South Africa, including at two, and was Group-placed.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 11.55am AEST, Dicky Beach Saves Live QTIS 2YO Plate, $26,000, 1000m
Bezique, 2-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Karuta Queen {Not A Single Doubt})
This Tony Gollan-trained filly will make her debut after winning a Doomben trial on April 12.
She is by Eureka Stud’s brilliant sire Spirit Of Boom, from the speedy Group 3 and Listed-winning mare Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt), who also ran second to Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) in both the G1 William Reid S. and G2 Schillaci S.
Bezique as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Karuta Queen is the dam of Listed Bill Carter S. winner Eawase (Sebring).
Bezique made $475,000 at the 2021 Magic Million Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bred and offered by Strawberry Hill Stud and bought by Black Soil Bloodstock, John Foote Bloodstock and Gollan Racing.
Ben Thompson has the ride from barrier nine.
Sunshine Coast, Race 5, 2.20pm AEST, Worklocker Mdn H., $26,000, 1200m
Lately (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Vadamos {Fr} x Pennies In Heaven {NZ} {Pompeii Court {NZ}})
Lee Freedman trains Lately (NZ), who is a half-brother to Listed winner Single Currency (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}).
He is by the Rich Hill Stud-based, Group 1 winner Vadamos (Fr), from the winning Pompeii Court (NZ) mare Pennies In Heaven (NZ).
Lately (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Lately has had three barrier trials ahead of his debut.
Freedman is a part-owner, so too is leviathan owner John O'Neill.
He was initially purchased by Donna Logan Racing for NZ$130,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka (Book 1) Sale in 2020.
Looking Back
Our first selection on Saturday, 2-year-old Atlantic Ocean (I Am Invincible), was scratched from the first event at Randwick.
Our second selection, Snow Falcon (Lonhro) was unplaced in Race 2 at Morphettville, while Sir Bailey (Impending) also failed to figure in the finish of The Showdown at Caulfield.
