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 Saturday selections in New Zealand as Te Akau-raced Treaty Of Paris (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) looks to get off the mark at the second time of asking.
Meanwhile, our second and third picks both run at Kembla Grange, with Chairman (Snitzel) and Terrestar (Zoustar) both attempting to make the perfect starts to their careers.
Te Rapa, Race 1, Banquo 3YO Mdn, 10.30am AEST (12.30pm local), NZ$15,000, 1200m
Treaty Of Paris (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Tavistock {NZ} x Echezeaux {NZ} {Encosta De Lago})
Having finished eighth in his only start as a 2-year-old, the Mark Walker-trained Treaty Of Paris will look to open his account when he lines up at Te Rapa on Saturday, where he will jump from barrier three with Opie Bosson booked to take the ride.
Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and owned by Te Akau Stallion Syndicate, Treaty Of Paris was picked up by David Ellis for NZ$520,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in 2021 and he is out of the Listed-placed Encosta De Lago mare Echezeaux (NZ).
Treaty Of Paris (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Echezeaux herself is out Australian Group 1 winner Grand Echezeaux (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and she is famed for being the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and now successful sire Darci Brahma (NZ) and Cambridge Stud’s ill-fated stallion Burgundy (NZ).
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 12.30pm AEST, Dylan Gibbons Premier Apprentice Jockey CG&E Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Chairman, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Harlow Gold {NZ} {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Michael Freedman-trained Chairman will be out to make the perfect start to his career when he tackles the first race at Kembla Grange. The colt will be ridden by Keagan Latham and he will jump from barrier two.
Retained to race by his breeders Glenlogan Park after he failed to make his $500,000 reserve at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021, Chairman is out of dual Group 1-placed Tavistock (NZ) mare Harlow Gold (NZ).
Chairman as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Harlow Gold landed two races in her career and was unlucky not to capture a race at the top level. She is out of Belongs In Lights (Belong To Me {USA}), making her a half-sister to Group 3 scorer Weissmuller (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) and dual stakes winner Travolta (NZ) (Handsome Ransom).
She also counts Rochfort (NZ) (Cennoni) - the dam of last season’s shock G1 Newmarket H. winner Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) - among her other half-siblings.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 1.05pm AEST, Don Luigi Horse of the Year F&M Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Terrestar, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Sous La Terre {Pierro})
Team Hawkes will be hoping the well-bred filly Terrestar can live up to her enormous pedigree when she steps out for the first time at Kembla Grange on Saturday. She will jump from barrier 10 with Glyn Schofield booked to take the ride.
Purchased by Kitchwin Hills for $550,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Tyreel Stud draft, the filly is the first foal out of the unraced Pierro mare Sous La Terre.
Terrestar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sous La Terre herself hails from on the most active and potent families in the Stud Book.
She is out of three-time winner Soul Singer (Danehill {USA}), making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Solar Charged (Charge Forward) and she in turn produced multiple Group 1-winning Champion Sunlight (Zoustar) and Listed scorer Sisstar (Zoustar).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Troika (Russian Revolution) finished sixth at Gosford, beaten 2.41l, while our second pick was Eagle Nest (Shalaa {Ire}) and she ran a nice race to finish second. The final selection of the day was Gripping (Pierro) and he finished a well-beaten 12th at Taree.
