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.
Wednesday, we’ve got a pair of juveniles at Randwick’s Kensington meeting, starting with a colt that was a million-dollar yearling from the family of Guelph (Exceed And Excel), and winding up with a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). At Sandown, we look at a debutante filly from the family of the Champion New Zealand mare Justa Tad (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}).
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, TAB Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Eponymous, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Caveat {Elusive Quality {USA}})
In a field stacked with well-bred, high-priced 2-year-olds, this colt from the Chris Waller yard is a choice pick. He is from the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Caveat, who is a full sister to Camarilla, the dam of the Champion filly Guelph who, in turn, is the dam of the dual Group winner Encryption. This is a valuable Darley family that includes no less than Bivouac.
With such a pedigree, Eponymous was consigned to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Coolmore Stud, and he sold to Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for $1 million. He is raced by the Coolmore colts syndicate.
Eponymous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Eponymous has been well-trialled so far. Since January, he has gone around five times, the last start a winning trial at home when he blazed home by nearly 5l. He will have jockey Chad Schofield in his first race from barrier eight.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, The Agency Plate, $50,000, 1100m
Cabaca, 2-year-old filly (Fastnet Rock x Berimbau {Shamardal {USA}})
This unraced filly is also from the Chris Waller stable and, from the Shamardal (USA) mare Berimbau, she’s a half-sister to the excellent filly in New Zealand, Imperatriz. Imperatriz is a dual Group 1 winner through 2022, while last year she was a winner of three Group races.
Cabaca was presented at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Bhima Thoroughbreds before her half-sister kicked off her Group 1 ways, and she was therefore well-bought by Magic Bloodstock and Associates for $300,000.
Cabaca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly has done well in three trials, the first of which were during a February preparation, and the latest was last week when she was second at Rosehill. Cabaca will have Hugh Bowman aboard for her debut from barrier 11.
Sandown, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Ladbroke It! H., $50,000, 1300m
Starianne, 2-year-old filly (Sebring x Arianne {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})
This unraced filly is the second foal from the Zabeel (NZ) mare Arianne (NZ), who was second in the G3 Launceston Cup in her time, but who is also a daughter of New Zealand’s Champion 3-year-old filly and miler, Justa Tad. As such, Arianne is also a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Move Faster (NZ) (Keeper).
Starianne is from the final crop of the late sire Sebring, and she was consigned to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Widden Stud. She sold to her trainers, Busuttin Racing, for $400,000.
Starianne as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Starianne is raced in the Mystery Downs colours and she was good in her only trial to date, winning it at Cranbourne just last week. She will have jockey Daniel Moor for her debut from barrier four.
Looking Back
Our Tuesday selections for Looking Ahead were a mixed bag. At Scone, Badda Boom Baby (Smart Missile) was unplaced, while at Ballarat, Citizen (Street Boss {USA}) was second and Parazzi (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) was unplaced in fourth.
