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 Wednesday, we pay attention to a Written Tycoon colt from the super broodmare Noondie (Flying Spur), while the third race features a smart gelding from a stakes-winning family who’s second-up from a winning debut. At Wagga, we’ve got a Starcraft (NZ) gelding looking to break his maiden.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Drinkwise Plate, $55,000, 1400m
Oriental Tycoon, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Noondie {Flying Spur})
This colt is immediately noticeable as a son of the brilliant producer Noondie, who is a half-sister to the stakes winner Tranquility (Redoute’s Choice). As such, Oriental Tycoon is a full brother to both the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker (Written Tycoon) and the Listed winner Banquo, now a sire at Waikato Stud.
Consigned by Yarraman Park to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, this colt got plenty of attention and he was sold to IRON/George Moore Bloodstock for $620,000.
Oriental Tycoon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Oriental Tycoon is trained at Randwick by the Snowden team and he is second-up in his career. On debut in May, he was second in a Randwick-Kensington maiden to Baroque Road (Caravaggio {USA}). He will be ridden in this race by Sam Clipperton from barrier one.
Warwick Farm, Race 3, 2.35 pm AEDT, Vinery Stallions H., $55,000, 1400m
Saturn Star, 3-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Saturn Rock {Fastnet Rock})
This gelding won on debut as recently as September 28, so he’s an obvious pick in this race. However, he has a nice pedigree to match the credentials. He’s a son of the stakes winner Saturn Rock, who in turn is a daughter of the stakes winner Satin Robes (Ne Coupez Pas {USA}).
Saturn Star was consigned to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Edinglassie Stud, where he was bought by James Bester Bloodstock and Vantage Thoroughbreds for $180,000.
Saturn Star as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is trained at Randwick by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and he won well on debut last month, scoring by 0.59l. In this race he will have jockey Tim Clark aboard again from barrier six.
Wagga, Race 1, 11.50am AEDT, Iron Jack Country Boosted Mdn, $30,000, 1300m
Cliff House, 4-year-old gelding (Starcraft {NZ} x Wild Mia {USA} {Wildcat Heir {USA}})
This gelding has an interesting American pedigree, being the fourth foal from the dual American stakes winner Wild Mia (USA). This mare was also four-times Group-placed, and her dam in turn was a half-sister to an Argentinian Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt and Stayer in Second Reality (Arg) (Hidden Prize {USA}).
Wild Mia is a Rosemont mare and Cliff House was consigned by Rosemont to the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was bought by Upper Bloodstock and Legends Bloodstock for $80,000.
Cliff House as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cliff House is trained at Wagga by Tim Donnelly, and he was second on debut on September 26 behind Shooting For Stars (Shooting To Win) at Narromine. He will have jockey Alysha Collett in this race from barrier six.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections on Tuesday were a mixed bag. At Casterton, Torranzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was fourth and Takshaka (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) was a winner. At Bathurst, Wyomi (Reward For Effort) was scratched.
