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.
Tuesday’s selections take in the first three races from Echuca, where we look to two well-bred and pricey stablemates looking for a debut win in their Classic year for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Then, in his debut appearance, we have a Chris Waller owned and trained 4-year-old with a dazzling back-pedigree to consider.
Bet365 Echuca, Race 1, 1.30pm AEST, Two Tarts Catering SV 3YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Garza Blanca, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Mousai {Fastnet Rock})
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Garza Blanca made his racecourse debut at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside at the end of last month and finished eighth, just under 5l from the impressive winner Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}).
Since that debut, he stretched his legs in a Cranbourne jump-out on September 12, in which he came home in front ahead of Aaron Laing’s Marxist (Capitalist), who has since stepped to debut with a 0.5l second at Moe last week.
Connections will be hoping for an improved effort from Garza Blanca, which certainly seems likely when considering his pedigree. He is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Mousai, who won herself and is a half-sister to Starspangledbanner.
Garza Blanca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is also a three-quarter sister to another Group 1 winner in Amicus (Fastnet Rock), who was successful in the Thousand Guineas.
With such a pedigree, Garza Blanca was a popular yearling, commanding $700,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, selling from the draft of Vinery Stud to International Thoroughbred Solutions.
On Tuesday he will jump from barrier six with Ethan Brown booked to ride.
Bet365 Echuca, Race 2, 2pm AEST, Rich River Party Hire 3YO Fillies’ Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Greece, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Maastricht {NZ} {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
From the same stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Greece is also looking to make her second start a winning one on Tuesday.
As a juvenile, she showed great promise by winning a pair of Rosehill trials and was thrown into the G2 Reisling S. on her first start. She finished a distance last that day, and ahead of her return she too won her latest Cranbourne jump-out on the same day as her stablemate.
Greece as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The similarities don’t stop there either – she was also an expensive yearling at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Knocked down for $1.2 million to her trainers in conjunction with Nxt Level Syndication, she runs in Coolmore’s colours with her vendor, Kia Ora Stud, also sharing in the ownership alongside McMahon Family Racing.
Greece is out of the multiple stakes-placed Maastricht (NZ), making her a full sister to Champion 3-Year-Old Loving Gaby. Maastricht is also a half-sister to Velocitea (Volksraad {GB}), winner of the G1 Goodwood H., and Listed winner Weaponry (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Greece will jump from barrier five under Ethan Brown.
Bet365 Echuca, Race 3, 2.30pm AEST, Think Water Echuca Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Tyita, 4-year-old gelding (Maurice {Jpn} x Keep De Fortune {Galileo {Ire}})
Making a belated first start for Chris Waller, Tyita also runs in the colours of his trainer. He was a $50,000 purchase by Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, having been purchased for the same price as a weanling the year prior.
Tyita is out of the unraced Galileo (Ire) mare Keep De Fortune, who is herself out of Danendri (Danehill {USA}), the Champion and dual Group 1 winner. This means Keep De Fortune is a sister to stakes winner Banc De Fortune and a half-sister to Group 3 winner Zingam (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Tyita as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Further down the page is another Champion in Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}), plus a host of other stakes winners.
Whilst Keep De Fortune is yet to produce a stakes winner from her eight named foals, one would imagine that Chris Waller wouldn’t be hanging on to Tyita if he didn’t think the gelding is capable of breaking that duck.
He is set to jump from barrier one under John Allen.
Looking Back
Saturday's selections provided some success. After jumping a fraction slowly, The Only One (NZ) (Savabeel) failed to improve in the straight at Ruakaka, finishing ninth. Then, at Newcastle, the John O’Shea-trained filly Orzala (Snitzel) fought well for her debut victory whilst Royal Pharoah (American Pharoah {USA}) was scratched.
