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 Bendigo, 3-year-old Barefoot Tora (Magnus) has the dam of Storm Cat (USA) on her page, while at Ipswich, we look at an unraced debutant and full brother to the Group 3-winning Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom).
Bendigo, Race 3, 1.35pm AEDT, Catanach’s Jewellers 3YO Fillies Mdn, $37,500, 1300m
Barefoot Tora, 3-year-old filly (Magnus x Medician Star {Galileo {Ire}})
This unraced filly is from the Galileo (Ire) mare Medician Star, making her a half-sister to the G3 Red Anchor S. winner Galaxy Pegasus (War Pass {USA}). Galaxy Pegasus was also placed in Group 3 company, while further along this pedigree is the fourth dam Terlingua (USA) (Secretariat {USA}), a half-sister to Royal Academy (USA) and the dam of Storm Cat.
Barefoot Tora was consigned by Two Bays Farm to the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where she was picked up by Griffiths de Kock Racing, Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) and Heywood Bloodstock for $50,000.
Barefoot Tora as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is trained by Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock at Cranbourne and she’s been trialling since this time last year. This preparation, she has gone around twice, with a last-start trial third on October 10. She has jockey Carleen Hefel from barrier one.
Ipswich, Race 1, 2.18pm AEDT (1.18pm local), Follow @Ipswichturflcub QTIS 3YO Mdn, $37,000, 1350m
Everclear, 3-year-old gelding (Spirit Of Boom x Passara {Tsuimai})
This unraced gelding hasn’t been especially sharp in two trials for his trainers Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted, finishing at the tail of the field in June and, most recently, in late October. In this race debut, he will have Boris Thornton from barrier five in a small, slightly more experienced field.
However, Everclear has enough pedigree to warrant another look. By Spirit Of Boom, he is from the Tsuimai mare Passara, who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed McCloud (Jeune) and McFly (Perugino {USA}), the dam of the Group 3-winning Chapter And Verse (Rothesay). Most notable is the fact that Everclear himself is a full brother to G3 Vo Rogue Plate and R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas winner Boomsara.
Everclear as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is a good Eureka Stud family, and this gelding was consigned by the Cambooya farm to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He made $225,000 when selling to Proven Thoroughbreds and O’Dea Hoysted Racing.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections on Tuesday were relatively luckless. At Pukekohe Park, Klairelle (NZ) (Savabeel) was third, while at Gosford, Radiant Knight (So You Think {NZ}) was unplaced. At Townsville, This Girl's Ready (Better Than Ready) was also unplaced.
