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.
Thursday at Hawkesbury, we look at a Shadwell-bred debutante from a stakes-winning dam, plus a Maurice (Jpn) gelding whose dam is a half-sister to a dual Group winner. In the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington, we take a look at an Extreme Choice filly.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.55pm AEDT, Fowler Civil Contracting Mdn, $40,000, 1100m
Silent Raindrops, 3-year-old filly (Sebring x Tawteen {Stratum})
This unraced 3-year-old filly was bred by Shadwell Stud and she’s a daughter of the Listed winner Tawteen, who was also three-times placed at Group level. The second dam on this page is Sprung (USA), by Grand Slam (USA), who was a Grade 3 winner in America and, in addition to Tawteen, she is the dam of the stakes-winning and multiple stakes-placed gelding Well Sprung (Star Witness).
Silent Raindrops was consigned by Yarraman Park Stud to the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where she sold for $280,000 to Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA).
Silent Raindrops as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is trained by Joseph Pride at Warwick Farm, and she’s had three trials in her first preparation. In the latest she was fourth, and she has drawn barrier three in this field with jockey William Pike.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, Airmakers Air Conditioning Mdn, $40,000, 1100m
Sumo Star, 3-year-old gelding (Maurice {Jpn} x Sport Chic {Redoute’s Choice})
This unraced gelding is the third foal from the Redoute’s Choice mare Sport Chic, who is a half-sister to the dual Group winner Alassio (Foxwedge). Both mares are from the Red Ransom (USA) dam Cinque, who was a Listed winner in South Australia. Further along this page is the British Champion Lailani (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}), whose three Group 1s included the Irish Oaks, Nassau S. and Belmont Flower Bowl in New York.
Sumo Star was consigned by Arrowfield Stud to the Highway Session of the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was bought for $110,000 by Elite Thoroughbreds.
Sumo Star as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Trained by Gary Portelli at Warwick Farm, he could be a promising racehorse because he has won his last two trials at home, the latest on October 7. Sumo Star has drawn barrier 12 with William Pike aboard.
Flemington, Race 2, 1.15pm AEDT, G3 Darley Ottawa S., $200,000, 1000m
Capulet, 2-year-old filly (Extreme Choice x Involving {Sebring})
This Extreme Choice filly is the second foal from the Sebring mare Involving. It’s the family of the stakes winners British Lion (Celtic Swing {GB}) and her dual Listed winner British General (General Nediym). Further along, there are the stakes winners The Travelling Man (Mossman) and Unanimously (Not A Single Doubt) via Glory Girl (Best Western {USA}), a winner of the G2 Tea Rose S.
Capulet was consigned by Yarraman Park Stud to the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she was bought by a consortium of MyRacehorse, McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) for $280,000.
Capulet as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy at Ballarat, the filly is unraced, but she’s had three trials this preparation and has been second in two of them. Capulet has drawn barrier 17 in this debut with jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Looking Back
Our Wednesday selections for Looking Ahead went fairly well. At Grafton, Maroon Magic (I Am Invincible) was a winner, while at Bendigo, Tyita (Maurice {Jpn}) was third and Almonti (Dundeel {NZ}) was fourth.
