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 Saturday, we kick off our selections in New Zealand where Ethereal Star (Snitzel) will seek to add Listed honours to her record. Meanwhile at Ballarat, Gitalong (Zoustar) will attempt to get off the mark at the third time of asking and then On The Amazon, another son of Zoustar, will attempt to make his presence felt on his first start at the Sunshine Coast.
Pukekohe Park, Race 3, 11.05am AEDT (1.05pm local), Listed Challenge S., NZ$90,000, 1100m
Ethereal Star, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Eleonora {NZ} {Makfi {GB}})
Ethereal Star finished a good second on debut and will be looking to break the ice at her first try at stakes level. She will be ridden by Ryan Elliot from barrier six.
Purchased by her trainer, Andrew Forsman, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Bevan Smith Bloodstock for NZ$600,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka earlier this year, the 2-year-old filly is out of dual Group 3 winner Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Ethereal Star pictured as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Eleonora herself is sister to two-time Group 2 scorer Supera (NZ) (Savabeel), while further back this is the same family multiple Group 1-winning mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}).
Ballarat, Race 3, 1.10pm AEDT, Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic, $250,000, 1000m
Gitalong, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Khulaasa {Epaulette})
Having finished unplaced on his first two career starts, the Team Hawkes-trained Gitalong will attempt to make it third time lucky when he tackles the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic on Saturday.
The colt was purchased by Paul Willetts Bloodstock for $200,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, before being picked up by his trainers for $425,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Vinery Stud draft the following year.
A son of Widden Stud-based sire Zoustar, the 2-year-old is the first foal out of out of G3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Khulaasa, a daughter of Epaulette, who was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale for $1.35 million when offered as part of the Shadwell Dispersal in 2021.
Gitalong was a $425,000 yearling purchase by his trainers | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Khulaasa herself is a daughter of dual Listed winner Taameer (NZ) (General Nediym), who is also the dam of fellow stakes winner Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}) and she is in turn the dam of two-time Group 3 winner Aryaaf (Epaulette).
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 1.03pm AEDT (12.03pm local), Archer Park Racing QTIS 2YO H., $75,000, 1200m
On The Amazon, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Rule The River {Commands})
Another by Zoustar is set to make his debut at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, in the form of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained On The Amazon, who is set to line up over 1200 metres at the Queensland track.
A $500,000 buy for TFI at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year, the colt is out of stakes-placed, well-related mare River The River, who is a sister to Group 2 winner First Command (Commands) while she also counts Hong Kong Group 2 winner Oneworld (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) among her half-siblings.
Zoustar, sire of debutant On The Amazon | Standing at Widden Stud
Further back this is the same family as Group 1 winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky), the dam of Group 2 winner and now Vinery Stud inmate Headwater, while the Group 1 winner and now Kia Ora Stud resident Captivant also features on the page.
Looking Back
Our first selection on Friday as Exogroove (Exceed And Excel), who finished fifth at Bathurst, while our second pick, Penman (Written Tycoon), was second at Moe and our final choice, White Russian (Fastnet Rock), came home in fourth at Moonee Valley.
