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.
Wednesday at Grafton, we’ve got a filly from the same family as the good stayer Grey Song (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), while at Bendigo, we look at two horses. The first is a gelding second-up with a very strong female page, and the second is related to the smart Hong Kong runner and New Zealand Derby winner Helene Vitality (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Grafton, Race 5, 4.30pm AEDT, Lawrence Tavern Christmas Race Day 27 November F&M Mdn, $27,000, 1115m
Maroon Magic, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Unequivocal {Not A Single Doubt})
This unraced filly by I Am Invincible is the first foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Unequivocal, who was third on debut to Peggy Jean (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the R. Listed Inglis 2YO Classic. Along the line in this pedigree is the Group 2 winner Dreamworks (NZ) (Maroof {USA}), in turn the dam of the dual Group winner and Group 1-placed Hypnos (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), while it’s also the family of the G2 Chairman’s H. winner Grey Song, who was a good second in the Caulfield Cup.
Maroon Magic was consigned by Fernrigg Farm to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she sold to The Racing League for $250,000.
Maroon Magic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is trained by Toby and Trent Edmonds on the Gold Coast, and she’s been extensively trialled to date. She won her last trial on October 11, and she will have barrier 12 in this debut with Andrew Mallyon.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.30pm AEDT, bet365 Racing Refunds Mdn, $37,500, 1400m
Tyita, 4-year-old gelding (Maurice {Jpn} x Keep De Fortune {Galileo {Ire}})
This gelding has a very strong female page through the first two generations. His unraced dam, Keep De Fortune, is a half-sister to the dam of the Champion 3-Year-Old filly Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}), while the second dam, Danendri (Danehill {USA}), was a G1 Australian Oaks winner herself and a top-ranking filly on the Australian 3-year-old Classification. Danendri is also the dam of the stakes winners Zingam (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Banc De Fortune (Galileo {Ire}).
Tyita was consigned by Torryburn Stud to the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was bought by Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) for $50,000.
Tyita as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is trained by Chris Waller at Flemington and he was second on debut at Geelong on September 29. He’s on song for this race and he will have barrier 10 with Brett Prebble aboard.
Bendigo, Race 2, 1pm AEDT, Carlton Draught 3YO Mdn, $37,500, 1100m
Almonti, 3-year-old gelding (Dundeel {NZ} x Alamonteel {NZ} {Alamosa {NZ}})
This unraced 3-year-old gelding in the Mystery Downs colours is the second foal from the winning mare Alamonteel (NZ), who was fourth in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks. This is the family of the highly rated runner Hades (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who won the G1 New Zealand Derby before a top career as Helene Vitality (NZ) in Hong Kong, during which he was second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Almonti was consigned by Merricks Station to the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was bought by Henry Dwyer Racing for $210,000.
Almonti as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is racing for the first time in this event. Trained by Dwyer at Ballarat, he’s had two jump-outs and a trial leading into this debut, all of which saw him run home fourth. Almonti will have jockey Damien Thornton from barrier six.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Cup Day were luckless across the board. At Flemington, Exposition (Exceed And Excel) was unplaced in the Maribyrnong Plate, while at Kembla Grange, Promising Prospect (Capitalist) was unplaced and Zoucan Toucan (Zoustar) was a scratching.
