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.
We have three debutants as our Looking Ahead selections for Sunday. We start at Murtoa with a daughter of emerging sire Xtravagant (NZ), before heading to Hawkesbury where a 3-year-old American Pharoah (USA) gelding steps out for Chris Waller. And, we come home at the Sunshine Coast with a half-brother to a Caulfield Cup winner.
Murtoa, Race 1, Samios Plumbing 2YO Mdn Plate, 1pm AEST, $25,000, 1200m
Simply Xtravagant, 2-year-old filly (Xtravagant {NZ} x Down The Hatch {Flying Spur})
This debutant was bred by Mr K Parsons and offered by Newhaven Park Lodge at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) for $120,000.
Simply Xtravagant as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her dam won three races, while her second dam, Toast Of The Coast (Rory's Jester) is a dual stakes winner. Simply Xtravagant is also from the family of Group 2 victress Solo Show (NZ) (Dahar {USA}).
Harry Coffey has been booked to ride and the pair will jump from barrier 1.
Hawkesbury, Race 5, TAB.com.au CG&E Mdn H., 2.40pm AEST, $40,000, 1300m
Anansi, 3-year-old gelding (American Pharoah (USA) x Madison Quays {Encosta De Lago}})
Chris Waller trains this gelding, who was bred by Matrix Bloodstock Pty Ltd and is raced by Orbis Bloodstock.
Offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, he was bought by Ardross Bloodstock for $160,000.
Anansi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Anansi's dam was unraced and is a half-sister to Group 2 runner-up Sailing By (Fastnet Rock), while her second dam, Amory Lane (Galileo {Ire}) won three times and was placed at Group 2 level.
The gelding, who will be ridden by William Pike, should be well educated for his debut, having had five trials.
Sunshine Coast, Race 5, RPM Mdn H., 2.56pm AEST, $26,000, 1000m
Argyle Lane, 4-year-old gelding (Golden Archer x Miss Argyle (Iglesia))
Bred and owned by Windemere Stud, this gelding is a half-brother to four stakes winners, including reigning Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise (Shamus Award). His other half-siblings are Ardrossan, Bergerac (Drumbeats) and Cheyene Warrior (Not A Single Doubt). He is also related to dual Listed winner Diamondsondinside (Iglesia) and Group 1 victress Mother Of Pearl (Rascolnik {GB}).
Golden Archer, sire of Argyle Lane | Standing at Raheen Stud
Argyle Lane is trained by Steve Tregea at Toowoomba and will be ridden by Michael Murphy.
The 4-year-old had a trial at Toowoomba on June 15, where he finished second of four runners.
Looking Back
It was a good day for our Looking Ahead selections on Saturday. Although we kicked off at Rosehill, where Diaco (Not A Single Doubt) was unplaced, Salaasel (Fastnet Rock) ran on well to finish third on debut at Flemington. We rounded out the day with He’s Heaven (Zoustar), who notched his maiden victory in the Listed Oaklands Plate at Morphettville.
