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.
Sunday features a Metropolitan meeting at Flemington, from which we take two selections who are bred to come of age in this, their Classic year. In between we turn to the Sunshine Coast where a well-bought Zoustar colt makes his debut.
Flemington, Race 3, 2.40pm AEST, TCL TV H., $55,000, 1420m
Roznamla (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Almanzor {Fr} x Rose Meer {NZ} {High Chaparral {Ire}})
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Roznamla (NZ) had two stats as a 2-year-old, winning on debut at Cranbourne back in March. He's been freshened up since his Cranbourne jump-out on August 22 and will jump from barrier six under Ben Melham as he looks to make his first start of the season a winning one.
Roznamla (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
He is from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Almanzor (Fr), whose progeny are known in the Northern Hemisphere to progress well through their Classic year. He is the only named foal of the unraced High Chaparral (Ire) mare Rose Meer (NZ), The second dam is the Group 2-placed Joy's Choice (NZ) (Redoute's Choice), a half-sister to La Sizeranne (NZ) (Stravinsky) who is a Group 2 winner.
Roznamla was picked up at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2021 by his trainers for NZ$55,000.
Sunshine Coast, Race 4, 2.44pm AEST, CLO STUDIOS Colts, Geldings and Entires Mdn H., $26,000, 1000m
Zhuang Shi, 3-year-old colt (Zoustar x Metaphorical {Dylan Thomas {Ire}})
Zhuang Shi took in two trials as a 2-year-old, but failed to make it to the track despite being sourced from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale, where he was picked up by his trainer Stuart Kendrick for $100,000.
His dam, Metaphorical, was a four-time winner and Group 3 placed during her racing career, and has bred only one other foal to race, who is a winner. She is a three-quarter sister to World Peace (Danehill {USA}), a winner of the G3 MRC Blue Diamond Preview (fillies), who in turn is the dam of G3 McNeil S. winner Chivalry (Street Cry {Ire}).
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
Zhuang Shi's second dam, Light Up The World (Rory's Jester), was prolific in winning eight races which included the G2 AJC Challenge S. and the G3 STC Queen of the Turf S.
Ben Thompson takes the ride on the 3-year-old for his debut, and the pair will jump from barrier five.
Flemington, Race 5, 3.50pm AEST, Kennedy Oaks Preview, $75,000, 1800m
So Dazzling (NZ), 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Dazzling Lady {NZ} {Lonhro})
Finishing fifth on debut at Warwick Farm at the end of August, the John Sargent-trained 3-year-old filly will attempt to break her maiden in strong company here on Sunday.
So Dazzling (NZ) is out of the Lonhro mare Dazzling Lady (NZ), a dual winner. However, it us under the second dam, Stella's Pantry (Danewin), that So Dazzling's pedigree gets really interesting. Stella's Pantry is a half-sister to Twiglet (Twig moss) who is the dam of multiple Champion and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Fair King Prawn (Danehill {USA}), plus Group 1 winner Easy Rocking (Barathea).
So Dazzling (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
So Dazzling was bought by her trainer in conjunction with DRG Thoroughbred Services at Book 1 of the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, where she commanded NZ$200,000.
She faces some stiff competition on Sunday but, with John Sargent known for his superb handling of Oaks fillies, who knows what's in store for So Dazzling as she matures this season.
Looking Back
It wasn't a great day for Saturday's selections. At Randwick in the G2 Tea Rose S. Byron Belle (Snitzel) failed to improve much after taking up a position at the back of the field. At Newcastle, despite showing early speed and looking threatening at one point, King's Star (Zoustar) faded tamely under pressure to finish eighth.
Unfortunately, Penman (Written Tycoon) didn't get his chance as the meeting at Tatura was abandoned owing to track conditions.
