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 the afternoon at Ruakaka in New Zealand, where the Stephen Marsh-trained The Only One (NZ) (Savabeel) will look to get his career off to the best possible start. We then head to Newcastle where Orzala (Snitzel) and Royal Pharoah (American Pharoah {USA}) will attempt to break through for the first time.
Ruakaka, Race 6, 1.48pm AEST (3.48pm local), Tree Wise Northland, $30,000, 1300m
The Only One (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Savabeel x The Diamond One {Tale Of The Cat {USA}})
This 3-year-old son of Savabeel makes his belated career debut on Saturday and he will be ridden from barrier 10 by Kozzie Asano.
The Only One is trained by Stephen Marsh, who purchased him for $580,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021 and he is out of three-time Group 3 scorer The Diamond One.
The Only One (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The Diamond One herself is a daughter of G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) meaning she is a half-sister to Listed scorer The Precious One (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) as well as Group 3-placed mare The Glitzy One (Flying Spur), the dam of G1 Thorndon Mile winner The Chosen One (NZ).
Further afield, this is the same family as Group 2 scorer Star Affair (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), who in turn produced Group 1 winner La Diosa (NZ) (So Yo Think {NZ}), Group 3 winner Solid Billing (NZ) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and stakes scorer Thy (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Steel City Beer Company F&M Mdn H., $40,000, 1400m
Orzala, 3-year-old filly (Sntizel x Norzita {NZ} {Thorn Park})
Having finished fifth on debut, the John O’Shea-trained filly Orzala lines up for the second time in her career when she takes her chance at Newcastle and she will be ridden by Jeff Penza from barrier 10.
The filly is co-owned by her co-breeders Arrowfield Stud, who retained a share in her after she was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $700,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021.
Orzala as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The daughter of Snitzel is out of dual Group 1 winner Norzita (NZ) making her a half-sister to Listed Sandown Cup winner Carif (So You Think {NZ}).
Norzita herself was purchased by Freyer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $1.7 million at the 2019 edition of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale and she is a daughter of Visique (Quest For Fame {GB}), who has produced a further five winners including Listed winner Hollows (NZ) (Thorn Park).
Newcastle, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Denton Engineering Group CG&E Mdn H., $40,000, 1400m
Royal Pharoah, 3-year-old gelding (American Pharoah {USA} x Ennis Hill {Fastnet Rock})
The Chris Waller-trained Royal Pharoah will make his debut at Newcastle on Saturday and he has drawn barrier 10 with Grant Buckley booked to take the ride.
The 3-year-old gelding derives from one of the best families in the Stud Book, being out of G3 Chairman's S. winner Ennis Hill and she is a daughter of Group 2 winner and top-producing broodmare Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Royal Pharoah as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Hips Don’t Lie’s further six winners are headed by Listed winner and now Coolmore Stud-based sire Acrobat as well as Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock), who landed the Listed William Crockett S. and also finished second in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Further back this is the same family as dual Group 1 winner Splintex (Snitzel) and Listed winner Invictus Salute (Exceed And Excel).
The colt was purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $625,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021.
Looking Back
Our first selection on Friday was South Lake (American Pharoah {USA}) and he was scratched in Race 1 at Benella, while Willinga Karisma (NZ) (Tivaci) finished fourth at Scone and our final pick, Lilliput (Lonhro), was unplaced at Goulburn.
