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 Saturday, while his well-bred stablemate Keysborough (I Am Invincible) will be out to shed his maiden status at Moonee Valley. We then head to Kembla Grange, where 3-year-old filly, Hail To The Queen (Kingman {GB}), makes her comeback following a long lay-off, while Wellerman (Pierro) will look to get off the mark at the first attempt at the New South Wales track.
Moonee Valley, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Luna Hand Care H., $130,000, 955m
Keysborough, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Oscietra {Exceed And Excel})
One of the best-bred horses running on Saturday, Keysborough will make his debut over 955 metres at Moonee Valley and he will jump from barrier three with Craig Williams booked to take the ride.
The son of this year’s Champion Sire elect, I Am Invincible, the 2-year-old colt is the first foal out of Oscietra and she is herself a daughter of unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
Black Caviar herself is out of Helsinge (Desert Sun {GB}) making her a half-sister to fellow Group 1 winner and now Vinery Stud resident All Too Hard, while Helsinge is also the grandam of Group 1 winner Ole Kirk, who stands alongside All Too Hard at Vinery and G3 Quezette S. winner Gimmie Par (Not A Single Doubt).
Kembla Grange, Race 5, 2.35pm AEST, Cordeaux Heights F&M Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Hail To The Queen, 3-year-old filly (Kingman {GB} x Bethsaida {Ire} {Dubawi {Ire}})
Having finished fifth on debut at Hawkesbury last August, Hail To The Queen makes her belated return to action at Kembla Grange on Saturday and she will jump from six with Mitchell Bell booked to take the ride.
The daughter of British-based sire Kingman (GB) was purchased by Kitchwin Hills for $260,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale in 2019 and she is out of the unraced Dubawi (Ire) mare Bethsaida (Ire), who was herself purchased by China Horse Club for 900,000gns (AU$1,564,200) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2015.
Bethsaida is a half-sister to prolific Listed winner Dunelight (Ire) and fellow stakes scorer Sperry (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}).
Kembla Grange, Race 6, 3.15pm AEST, Happy 60th Birthday Snap CG&E Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Wellerman, 2-year-old colt (Pierro x Starfish {Redoute’s Choice})
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will be hoping Wellerman can get off to the perfect career start when he takes his chance over 1200 metres at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Purchased by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $400,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the son of Pierro is out of Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. runner-up Starfish (Redoute’s Choice) and she has produced six winners headed by stakes-placed duo Wolf Cry and Glenbawn Dame (Shamardal {USA}).
Should the colt win on Saturday, he would become the 36th winner bred on the powerful Pierro / Redoute’s Choice which has also produced nine stakes winners, headed by three top-flight winners.
Looking Back
Our first selection on Friday was Celtic Hero (Toronado {Ire}) and he finished ninth on debut at Echuca, while our other selection at the Victorian track was the well-related filly Fast Star (Zoustar) who kicked off her career with a victory over 1200 metres. Meanwhile, our final selection, Brydelicious (Spirit Of Boom), finished a well-beaten 11th on debut at Ipswich.
