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 have found a triumvirate of 3-year-olds for Friday’s races and all are on debut. A very well-related American Pharoah (USA) gelding gets us underway at bet365 Benalla before we head to Scone, where a Tivaci filly steps out for Kris Lees. We round out the day with a lovely Godolphin filly at Goulburn.
bet365 Benalla, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Benalla Timber Products 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1406m
South Lake, 3-year-old gelding (American Pharoah {USA} x Sundaze {Redoute’s Choice})
Bred by Cobra Bloodstock Australia, this gelding was consigned to their draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Griffiths de Kock Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) paid $260,000 for him.
South Lake as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
South Lake is from an unraced mare, who is a three-quarter sister to two-time Group 1 winner turned sire King’s Legacy, Listed winner and ill-fated star sire Not A Single Doubt, as well as dual Listed victress Come Hither, who has produced Listed winner Cohesion (Lonhro). Sundaze is also a half-sister to Group 1 heroine Oohood (I Am Invincible).
South Lake, who hasn’t been seen at the public trials, will be ridden by Lachlan King.
Scone, Race 6, 3.20pm AEST, SRC Tradies Day Oct 21 Mdn Plate, $26,862, 1100m
Willinga Karisma (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Tivaci x Baradevi {NZ} {Volksraad {GB}})
This filly was bred by Balow Thoroughbred Ltd and was purchased for NZ$2000 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale (on Gavelhouse Plus).
Her grandam, Sharvasti (NZ) (Montejeu {Ire}), won at Group 1 level in 2006, while her third dam, Veodara (NZ) (Kreisler {Ire}), was a Listed winner and has thrown two other stakes winners - Shastri (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and Bhandara (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Tivaci, sire of Willinga Karisma (NZ) | Standing at Waikato Stud
Willinga Karisma races in the Australian Bloodstock silks. She is trained by Kris Lees and will be handled by apprentice Dylan Gibbons.
She has been to the trials twice and at the most recent of those, at Gosford on August 29, she placed third over 1000 metres.
Goulburn, Race 7, 3.34pm AEST, Tash Burleigh Racing Mdn H., $26,862, 1300m
Lilliput, 3-year-old filly (Lonhro x Pygmy {New Approach {Ire}})
This filly was bred and is raced by Godolphin Australia.
Lilliput is the first foal of a three-time winner. The filly’s second dam, Rinky Dink (Distorted Humor {USA}), won at Group 1 grade and has thrown Group 2 winner Galah.
Lonhro, sire of Lilliput | Standing at Darley
The James Cummings-trained Lilliput has had two trials and will be partnered by Robbie Dolan.
Looking Back
From our Thursday selections, General Barca (I Am Invincible) finished strongly to score an impressive debut win at Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic. Earlier, Evajade (So You Think {NZ}) was unplaced at the same track, while Beautiful (Capitalist) was disappointing on face value, finishing at the rear of the field in Race 2 at Hawkesbury.
