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 sees us with two nicely bred debutants at Wyong - one by Invader, the other by Exceed And Excel. At Bendigo we look to a well-related first starter by Churchill (Ire).
Wyong, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Raise Respect Midway Mdn H., $45,000, 1350m
Beauty Crusade, 3-year-old gelding (Invader x Hussidora {Hussonet {USA}})
Bell River Thoroughbreds bred and sold this gelding. He made $375,000 at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, with George Moore Bloodstock / Team Moore Racing buying.
Beauty Crusade is a half-bother to five-time winner and Listed placegetter Schilldora (Artie Schiller {USA}), as well as the stakes-performed Dreams Of Platinum (Dream Ahead {USA}).
The gelding’s grandam, Alisidora (Ire) (Nashwan {USA}), was a winner that placed at Listed level. She is also a three-quarter sister to Silent Warrior (Ire) (Nashwan {USA}), who won a Group 3 in France.
Beauty Crusade as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Christabelle (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}) is Beauty Crusade’s third dam and she is a half-sister to I Will Follow (USA) (Herbager {Fr}), who is the dam of the great Rainbow Quest (USA) - a Group 1 winner and Group 1-producing sire.
Trained by Ron Quinton, Andrew Adkins will ride the gelding, who has prepped-up for his debut with four trials.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, bet365 Top Tote Plus 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Sword Of Honour, 3-year-old filly (Churchill {Ire} x Joyeuse {King’s Best {USA}})
This filly was bred by Hesket Bloodstock and they race her along with partners.
Sword Of Honour is related to a host of stakes winners. Her dam won five races and placed in Listed grade. She has produced stakes winners Sword Of Light (New Approach {Ire}) and Sword Of Justice (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}).
The filly’s grandam, the Group 3-winning Razor Blade (Blazing Sword), has thrown triple Group 1 hero Flamberge (Exceed And Excel), Group 2 victor Sunburnt Land (Scenic {Ire}), Group 3 victor Durendal (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and Listed winner Curtana (Exceed And Excel).
Churchill (Ire) | Standing at Coolmore
Sword Of Honour’s third dam, Coalition (Pre Emptive Strike {Can}), produced Listed victress Country Lodge (Grand Lodge {USA}), as well as Razor Blade (Blazing Sword).
Trained by Mathew Ellerton, the filly will debut under Daniel Stackhouse.
Wyong, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Elimination Against Violence Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Meod, 3-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Heart Ashley {USA} {Lion Heart {USA}})
Bred and sold by Kia Ora Stud, this filly was knocked down to Freedman Brothers and China Horse Club for $500,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
From a stakes-winning mare, the Michael Freedman-trained Meod is a half-sister to Group 3 victor Fiano Romano (Fastnet Rock) and Group 3-placed, four-time winner Ameristralia (Fastnet Rock).
Meod as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly’s grandam, Pretty ‘N’ Smart (USA) (Beau Genius {USA}), won two races in the US, and, in addition to Heart Ashley (USA), has produced Grade 1 winner Cupid (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and Grade 3 victress Ashley’s Kitty (USA) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Meod debuts with the benefit of a November 8 Randwick-Kensington trial, where she was second over 848 metres.
Tom Sherry has the ride, with Meod to break from gate three.
Looking Back
On Wednesday, Mugen (Street Boss {USA}) ran well on debut, finishing a close second at Sandown-Lakeside, while at Warwick Farm, Princess Rayaa (Kingman {GB}) was desperately unlucky and flashed home to finish fourth at her first start.
