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 kick off our selections on Sunday, with the first two races at Sale, while our final selection of the afternoon comes from the Sunshine Coast. Our first selection is Sting Jet (So You Think {NZ}), who will be looking to improve on his debut sixth, while 3-year-old gelding Do I (NZ) (Tivaci) will make his debut in the next race on the card at Sale. The final selection of the day is Diana’s Affair (Merchant Navy), who makes his debut at the Sunshine Coast.
Sale, Race 1, 11.50am AEST, Birthday Celebrations for David Price 2YO Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Sting Jet, 2-year-old gelding (So You Think {NZ} x Summer Wind {Stratum})
Last seen running sixth on debut, the Mathew Ellerton-trained Sting Jet will make his second racecourse appearance at Sale on Sunday.
The son of Coolmore Stud resident So You Think (NZ) will break from barrier eight with Robbie Downey booked to take the ride.
So You Think (NZ) | Standing at Coolmore
Bred by Hesket Bloodstock, Sting Jet is out of winning Stratum mare Summer Wind and she is herself a daughter of Listed winner Soaressa (Twining {USA}), making her a half-sister to Group 3 scorer Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) and stakes winner Forever Free (Exceed And Excel).
Further back this is the same family as G1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready {USA}), and Listed-winning pair Assertive Eagle (Danewin) and Impressive Eagle (Rubiton).
Sale, Race 2, 12.25pm AEST, Carlton Draught Mdn Plate, $35,000, 1200m
Do I (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tivaci x I Do {NZ} {No Excuse Needed {GB}})
New Zealand-bred gelding Do I makes his belated debut when he lines up over 1200 metres at Sale. The son of Waikato Stud's Tivaci will break from barrier 11 with Daniel Stackhouse booked to take the ride.
Tivaci | Standing at Waikato Stud
Do I is out of the G1 Makfi Challenge S. winner I Do (NZ), who has produced three winners.
I Do is herself a half-sister to Listed scorer Iggi Pop (NZ) (Savabeel) and this is the same family as Group 3 triumphant Freequent (NZ) (Mistral Dancer {Can}).
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 12.30pm AEST, Simon George and Sons QTIS 2YO Mdn Plate, $26,000, 1200m
Diana’s Affair, 2-year-old colt (Merchant Navy x Diana’s Star {Northern Meteor})
The Kelly Schweida-trained Diana’s Affair will make his racecourse debut when he lines up at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. The colt will jump from barrier four with James Orman booked to take the ride.
Diana’s Affair was purchased by his trainer for $210,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021 and he is out of the unraced Northern Meteor mare Diana’s Star, who has already produced one winner in the shape of Willinga Panache (Sebring).
Diana's Affair as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Diana’s Star is a daughter of Diana’s Secret (Anabaa {USA}), who also produced multiple Group 1 winner Dissident and further back this is the same family Group 2-placed Heir Affair (Salieri {USA}).
Looking Back
Mutafiq (I Am Invincible), our first selection on Saturday, clearly struggled in the wet conditions, finishing a well-beaten last of seven runners at Randwick. Our next pick, Warchime (Merchant Navy) fared no better, coming home seventh in the first race at Caulfield. Meanwhile, our final selection was Bel Air (Written Tycoon) and he finished fifth in the next race on the card at the Melbourne venue.
