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.
For Friday’s races, we have a trio of well-related 3-year-olds on debut. Two of them - a Churchill (Ire) filly and a Tavistock (NZ) gelding - are at Newcastle, while the other is a Caravaggio (USA) colt, who steps out at Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Kloster Group F&M Mdn H., $50,000, 1400m
Victory Salute, 3-year-old filly (Churchill {Ire} x Rotterdam {Pierro})
This filly was offered by her breeder - Coolmore Australia - at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bought by Annabel Neasham Racing/Brian McGuire for $140,000.
Victory Salute as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Victory Salute is from a winning mare, who hails from the family of Group 3 victress Piccadilly Circus (Royal Academy {USA}). That mare has thrown Group 1 star and former Champion Sire Fastnet Rock. Other stakes winners in the family include Gatana (Marauding {NZ}) and Raheeb.
The Annabel Neasham-trained filly has prepped up for debut with two trials and will be ridden by Chad Schofield.
Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Race 1, 1.30pm AEST, Sam Miranda 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Chiaro, 3-year-old colt (Caravaggio {USA}) x Wyetta {NZ} {Keeper})
This colt is raced by his breeder - OTI Racing - in partnership with others. He was offered by Daisy Hill at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale but was passed in.
Chiaro as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Chiaro’s dam is a half-sister to G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}), who was raced by OTI Racing and won just shy of $800,000. The colt’s second dam, Queen Boudicca (NZ) (Perfectly Ready), was Group 2 placed. Stakes winner Canned Heat (NZ) (Al Akbar) also hails from this family.
Trained by Matt Cumani, Chiaro will be partnered by Declan Bates off the inside gate.
Newcastle, Race 3, 2.10pm AEST, Hunter Valley Premium Meats T-Bone Steak Mdn H., $50,000, 1400m
Lucky Stock, 3-year-old gelding (Tavistock {NZ} x Lucky Mascot {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})
Ron Finemore bred and races this gelding, who is in the John O’Shea stable.
Lucky Stock is a brother to Group 3 winner Flying Mascot (NZ) and a half-brother to Listed winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel). The gelding’s second dam, Arletty (NZ), was a Group 2 winner, while Group 1 winner turned sire Xtravagant (NZ) and Group 3 winner He’s Remarkable (NZ) are also from this family.
Apprentice Reece Jones rides from an outside draw.
Luck Stock's sire Tavistock (NZ)
Looking Back
Cincinnati Dreamer (Written Tycoon) made a nice debut, finishing fourth in Race 1 at Geelong. Dartboard (Shooting To Win) also ran well at his first start, placing second in Race 3 at Geelong, while Magadan (Russian Revolution) was second in Race 7 at Kembla Grange.
