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, we kick off with Texson Reel (Highland Reel {Ire}), who looks to get off the mark at Kembla Grange, while our second selection is Party Princess (So You Think {NZ}) and she will attempting to chalk up her first success at the third time of asking. Meanwhile, our final pick is Tot Of Rum (Merchant Navy) and he will line up for the third time of his career when he tackles a handicap over 1200 metres at Kembla Grange.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 1.10pm AEST, Hailey’s Run Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Texson Reel, 3-year-old gelding (Highland Reel {Ire} x Texarcana {More Than Ready {USA}})
The Gary Portelli-trained Texson Reel will make his debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The gelding will line up in barrier nine with Shaun Guymer booked to take the ride.
Purchased by Elite Thoroughbreds for $35,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, the gelding is out of three-time winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Texarcana making him a half-brother to Rebel Dane, who Portelli trained to a pair of victories at Group 1 level and multiple places at elite-level.
Texson Reel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is by Highland Reel (Ire), who shuttles to Swettenham Stud in Victoria where his fee has been set at $16,500 (inc GST) and he resides at Coolmore’s Castlehyde Stud in Ireland during his time in the Northern Hemisphere.
Morphettville Parks, Race 1, 12.12pm AEST (11.42am local), Simone Montgomerie H., $45,000, 1400m
Party Princess, 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Khandallah {Kitten’s Joy {USA}})
The Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas-trained Party Princess will attempt to shed her maiden status at the third time of asking when she lines up at Morphettville Parks on Saturday. The daughter of Coolmore resident So You Think (NZ) will line up in barrier four with Jason Holder set to take the ride.
Party Princess as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Party Princess was purchased by her trainers for $300,000 at the 2021 edition of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and she is out of Listed-winning Kitten’s Joy (USA) mare Khandallah, making her a half-brother to G2 Danehill S. Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}).
Further back this is the same family as Group 2 scorer Dreadnaught (USA) (Lac Ouimet {USA}) and Group 3 winner Galic Boy (USA) (Irish River {Fr}).
Kembla Grange, Race 5, 3pm AEST, Uld Transport Mdn H., $40,000, 1200m
Tot Of Rum, 3-year-old filly (Merchant Navy x Quench The Thirst {Encosta De Lago})
Having finished third and sixth respectively on her first two starts, Annabel Neasham will saddle this daughter of Merchant Navy in the Uld Transport Mdn H. for her third start at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The 3-year-old filly will jump from barrier four with Jackson Searle booked to take the ride.
Tot Of Rum is out of the Listed-placed Encosta De Lago mare Quench The Thirst and she is the dam of three winners, headed by Listed scorer Sangria (I Am Invincible).
Tot Of Rum as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly’s second dam is Monsoon Wedding (Danehill {USA}) and she is the sister to Group 1 winner and late, breed-shaping stallion Redoute’s Choice. Monsoon Wedding herself is dam of Listed winner Lucky Raquie (Encosta De Lago) and Group 3 winner Precious Lorraine (Encosta De Lago), the dam of Listed winner Meuse (Snitzel).
Looking Back
Out first selection on Friday, Valiancy (Shooting To Win), finished second on debut at Swan Hill, before Rock Together (Caravaggio {USA}), our second selection, ran fourth at Goulburn and our third choice was Strapparsi (Deep Field), who was scratched from Race 3 at Swan Hill.
