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 Sunday we kick off our selections at Werribee as Oxfordshire (Churchill {Ire}) and Abu Simbel (I Am Invincible) attempt to chalk up their first career wins, while we finish the afternoon at Hawkesbury and all eyes will be on debutant Kureder (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in Race 6.
Werribee, Race 1, 12.45pm AEDT, Simon Zahra Racing Mdn Plate, $37,500, 2000m
Oxfordshire, 3-year-old gelding (Churchill {Ire} x Heavens Touch {Choisir})
This 3-year-old son of Coolmore Stud shuttler Churchill (Ire) will be out to break the ice at the third time of asking when he lines up on Sunday. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman and raced by Coolmore, the gelding will jump from barrier nine with Damien Thornton in the plate.
Oxfordshire was purchased by Willow Park Stud for $90,000 at the 2020 Inglis Weanling Sale, before being bought by his trainers and Julian Blaxland of Blue Sky Bloodstock (FBAA) for $250,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale the following year.
Oxfordshire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Out of winning Choisir mare Heavens Touch, who is herself a half-sister to G1 Epsom H. winner Captain Sonador (Shamardal {USA}).
While further back this is the same family as dual Group 2 winner Umaline (NZ), the dam of Listed winner Fasline (Fasliyev {USA}).
Werribee, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT, Tree Top Tower Hire Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1400m
Abu Simbel, 4-year-old mare (I Am Invincible x Siwa Lady {Gonski})
The Peter Moody-trained Abu Simbel will attempt to get off the mark at the fourth time of asking when she lines up on Sunday. The mare will break from barrier five with apprentice jockey Thomas Stockdale set to take the ride.
Purchased by her trainer for $320,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2020, the mare is out of the Listed Oakbank S. winner Siwa Lady making her a half-sister to stakes-placed Reformist (Dissident).
Abu Simbel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Swia Lady herself is a half-sister to Listed winner Oasis Girl (Redoute’s Choice) and stakes-placed gelding Diamond Oasis (Lonhro).
Further afield this is the same family as dual Italian Group 1 winner Laverock (Ire) and multiple Group 1 winner turned Coolmore Stud-based sire Pierro and G2 Wakeful S. winner Ambience (Street Cry {Ire}).
Hawkesbury, Race 6, 4.51pm AEDT, Exact Security Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1300m
Kureder (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Ocean Park {NZ} x Charmeuse {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The Chris Waller-trained Kureder will be hoping to make the perfect start to his career when he lines up at Hawkesbury on Sunday.
A NZ$380,000 purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock and his trainer from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, the son of Ocean Park (NZ) is out of the unraced O’Reilly (NZ) mare Charmeuse (NZ) making him a brother to Group 1-placed gelding Arrogant (NZ).
Kureder (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Charmeuse herself is a half-sister to Group 2 scorer Needle And Thread (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Listed winner and now Mapperley Stud inmate Savile Row (NZ).
Further back the gelding shares a page with Group 3 winner Chintz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who in turn produced dual Group 1 winner and now sire The Gurkha (Ire).
Looking Back
Our first selection, Langmore (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), finished unplaced in the G2 Challenge S. at Trentham, while our other choice was Busting (Spirit Of Boom), who produced an ultra impressive performance to shed his maiden status at the first time of asking.
