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 Sunday, we begin with two races at Sale, as the expensive Shalaa (Ire) colt, Custodian, attempts to get off the mark at the second time of asking, while Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) makes her debut in Race 3. Our final selection comes at Coffs Harbour as Capezel (Snitzel) is poised to debut at the New South Wales track.
Sale, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, Book Sale Cup Tickets Now! Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Custodian, 3-year-old colt (Shalaa {Ire} x Honesty Prevails {Redoute’s Choice})
Having finished sixth on debut, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Custodian will attempt to get off the mark at the second attempt when he lines up at Sale. The colt will jump from barrier one with Ethan Brown booked to take the ride.
Custodian was purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $1.15 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021, the most ever paid for a son or daughter of the Arrowfield Stud-based sire Shalaa.
Custodian as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The colt is out of the G3 Widden S. winner Honesty Prevails (Redoute’s Choice), making him a half-brother G1 Spring Champion S. winner Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Further back this is the same family as Listed-winning duo Ego’s Dare (Hussonet {USA}) and Thumping (Any Given Sunday).
Sale, Race 3, 2.05pm AEST, Duart Homestead – Food Cube Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1400m
Foxy Cleopatra, 3-year-old filly (American Pharoah {USA} x Casuarina Forest {Fastnet Rock})
Co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will be hoping 3-year-old filly, Foxy Cleopatra can make the perfect start to her career when she takes to the track for the first time at Sale on Sunday.
Purchased by her trainers for $120,000 at the 2021 edition of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the daughter of American Pharoah (USA) is out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Casuarina Forest.
Foxy Cleopatra as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Casuarina Forest herself is a daughter of US Listed winner Forest Native (USA) (Forest Wildcat {USA}) meaning she is a sister to G1 William Reid S. winner and Woodside Park-based sire Foxwedge, while she also counts Listed The Rosebud H. winner She’s A Fox (Fastnet Rock) amongst her other siblings.
Coffs Harbour, Race 3, 2.35pm AEST, Spectrum Animal Health F&M Mdn H., $27,000, 1300m
Capezel, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Tara From The Cape {USA} {Leroidesanimaux {Brz}})
The Kris Lees-trained Capezel will make her career debut at Coffs Harbour on Sunday and the filly will break from barrier one with Andrew Adkins booked to take the ride.
The daughter of Snitzel was $250,000 from the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by her trainer, owners Australian Bloodstock and Tasman Bloodstock. Capezel is out of US stakes-winning mare Tara From The Cape (USA).
Capezel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tara From The Cape herself is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Royal Mo (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), while further back this is the same family as Grade 2 scorer Irish Linnet (USA) (Seattle Song {USA}) - the dam of Listed scorers Blushing Irish (USA) (Rahy {USA}) and Irish Art (USA) (Artie Schiller {USA}).
Looking Back
Texson Reel (Highland Reel {Ire}), our first choice on Saturday, finished sixth on debut at Kembla Grange, before the second pick, Party Princess (So You Think {NZ}) grabbed third at Morphettville. Looking Ahead's third runner of the day was Tot Of Rum (Merchant Navy) and she finished third at Kembla Grange.
