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 begin our selections on Sunday at Geelong where the Irish-bred filly, Arthurian Princess (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) makes her debut in Race 2. For our second pick, we head to Te Rapa in New Zealand for The Intimidator’s (Toronado {Ire}) debut, while for our final choice, we head back to Geelong where all eyes will be on the Peter Moody-trained Miss Passion (Redoute’s Choice), who looks to go one better than her debut second.
Geelong, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Brandt Colac 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1700m
Arthurian Princess (Ire), 3-year-old filly (Camelot {GB} x Yours Forever {GB} {Dansili {GB}})
This Irish-bred 3-year-old filly’s career will get underway at Geelong and she will face a total of seven rivals. Trained by Symon Wilde, the daughter of Coolmore Stud’s Camelot (GB) will jump from barrier seven with Declan Bates booked to do the steering.
Arthurian Princess was purchased by her trainer and Cameron Cooke Bloodstock for $300,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in 2021 and she is out of the winning Dansili (GB) mare Yours Forever (GB), who has to date produced four winners.
Arthurian Princess (Ire) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Yours Forever herself is out of Group 3 winner Love Everlasting (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}) making her a half-sibling to stakes-placed Shamardal (USA) mare Acquainted (GB) - the dam of Listed Warrnambool Cup winner Furrion (GB) (Camelot {GB}).
Te Rapa, Race 8, 1.45pm AEST (3.45pm local), The Patron’s 1400, NZ$15,000, 1400m
The Intimidator, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado {Ire} x Ty Dash {Written Tycoon})
Trained by Andrew Forsman, this Australian-bred gelding will take to the track for the first time at Te Rapa in New Zealand where he will be ridden by Craig Grylls from barrier two.
The 3-year-old is by Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (Ire) and he is out of the dual-winning Written Tycoon mare Ty Dash, who is herself out of Dosh Dash (Dash For Cash), making her a sister to G3 Typhoon Tracy winner Written Dash.
The Intimidator as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Written Dash herself has produced two winners headed by Osamu (Exceed And Excel), who finished second in the G2 Skyline S.
Further back, this is the same family as Listed winner Laudemio (Alzo {USA}) - the grandam of G1 TJ Smith S. winner Sizzling, who now stands at Riverdene Stud in New South Wales.
The Intimidator himself was bought by Inglewood Stud for $37,500 at the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale, before being snapped up by Stuart Hale and Co at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka for NZ$160,000 the following year.
Geelong, Race 3, 1.55pm AEST, Teddy and The Fox from the Bellarine Distillery 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,700, 1100m
Miss Passion, 3-year-old filly (Redoute’s Choice x Mella Maria {Star Witness})
Having finished second on her first start as a 2-year-old, the Peter Moody-trained Miss Passion will be looking to go one better when she lines up in barrier three with Luke Nolen in the plate on Sunday.
Bred by Fernrigg Farm, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice was purchased by her trainer and Tasman Bloodstock for $760,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021 and she is from the South African Grade 2-winning Star Witness mare Mella Maria.
Miss Passion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mella Maria is herself one of seven winners of the G2 Angus Armanasco S. placegetter Sayahailmary (Keep The Faith).
Further back this is the same family as Listed-placed Viking Turf Bell (Elusive Quality {USA}) - the dam of Listed Wayne Wilson Plate winner Vinland (Sebring), while R. Listed Inglis 2YO Premier winner Valliano (Equiano {Fr}) also features on the page.
Looking Back
Our first selection, Rhetorical (NZ) (Snitzel), finished fifth on debut at Wanganui, while the second of our picks, King’s Star (Zoustar), ran fourth on his first start at Hawkesbury. Meanwhile, Marquess (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), our third choice, produced a brave performance to win Race 3 at Hawkesbury.
