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 a trio of 3-year-olds as our selections for racing on Tuesday. Sebring gelding Daytona, who has already broken his maiden status, will be looking for his second win when he lines up at Goulburn. On the same card, John O’Shea has a nicely bred Savabeel colt stepping out for the first time. And at bet365 Mildura, an All Too Hard debutant creates interest.
Goulburn, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Kilpatrick Metal Recyclers Class 1 H., $27,000, 1400m
Daytona, 3-year-old gelding (Sebring x Miss Wonderland {Snitzel})
Widden Stud bred this gelding, before offering him at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bought by China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock for $500,000.
Daytona has won one of his four starts to date, breaking through at the second time of asking. That race was over 1200 metres at Newcastle in August.
Daytona as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The gelding is the first foal of a stakes-placed, three-time-winning mare, who is a half-sister to Spencer (Pierro) - a stakes placegetter and winner of seven races. Daytona is related to Group 2 winner Glenfiddich, who stands at Aquis Farm, as well as Listed victor Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock).
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding will be handled by Rory Hutchings.
bet365 Mildura, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Mildura Motor Holdings Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Hard To Cross (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (All Too Hard x Egyptian Cross {Commands})
This gelding was bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay and was offered by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to Malua Bloodstock for $140,000.
Hard To Cross (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
His dam is a half-sister to two-time Group 3 winner Egyptian Symbol (Stratum) and stakes-placed Cellsabeel (Hinchinbrook), while his second dam is Group 1 victress Our Egyptian Raine (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), who was named the Champion Older Female Sprinter in New Zealand in 2002/03. Also hailing from this family is Hong Kong Group 1 winner Egyptian Ra (NZ) (Woodborough {GB}).
Patrick Payne trains Hard To Cross (NZ), who will be ridden on debut by Harry Coffey, following two trials.
Goulburn, Race 8, 5.30pm AEDT, Goulburn Cup 30th October Mdn H., $27,000, 1400m
Saveadateforme (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Savabeel x Dating {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
Bred by Waikato Stud, this colt was a NZ$220,000 purchase by Go Racing at the New Zealand Bloodstock 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale.
Saveadateforme (NZ) is the fifth foal of a dual Group 3-winning mare, who has thrown the stakes-placed Date Night (NZ) (Savabeel). The colt’s second dam, Mandate (NZ) (Sound Reason {Can}), was a Listed winner and has produced Group 3 placegetter Miracle Miss (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Saveadateforme (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The John O'Shea-trained colt has the services of Keagan Latham and has prepared for his debut with four trials, including a win at Hawkesbury on September 15.
Looking Back
From our selections for Sunday, we had two winners - He'll Rip (Hellbent) scored at Bendigo, while Pearly Nuggett (Snippetson) was victorious at Northam. Our other runner - One Trick Pony (Snippetson) - was unplaced at Northam.
