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.
We have two fillies on debut at Hamilton on Tuesday; one by Magnus, the other by Toronado (Ire). Both are 3-year-olds and were bred on some of Australia’s finest and most successful farms. Our final runner is a gelded son of Sweynesse, who lines up for Bjorn Baker at Bathurst.
Hamilton, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, bet365 3YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Sonoma Coast, 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Honey Rider {NZ} {Pins})
Widden Stud bred this filly and offered her at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) went to $300,000 to purchase her.
Sonoma Coast as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sonoma Coast is from a Group 3-winning mare, while her grandam, Southern Heights (NZ) (Align), won two races and is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Adventador (NZ), as well as the Listed winner Alpine Delight (Bluebird {USA}) and the Group 3 winner Winning Glory (NZ) (One Cool Cat {USA}).
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Sonoma Coast will be ridden by Michael Poy.
Hamilton, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, International Day of People with Disability Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Probability, 3-year-old filly (Toronado {Ire} x Zumbarina {Zabeel {NZ}})
The Archie Alexander-trained filly was bred by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and their studmaster Peter Liston is among the ownership group.
Probability is from an unraced three-quarter sister to the great Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and is a half-sister to the Listed victress No Restriction (Unencumbered), as well as the five-time winner Zabelarina (Bel Esprit).
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Other stakes winners from this family include Lucky Owners (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), Matter Of Honour (NZ) (Casual Lies {USA}), Bastet (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) and Mosheen (Fastnet Rock).
Declan Bates has been engaged for Probability’s debut.
Bathurst, Race 4, 3.55pm AEDT, Ray White Emms Mooney CG&E Mdn H., $27,000, 1100m
Sweysive (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Sweynesse x Ultra Explosive {NZ} {Darci Brahma {NZ}})
Bred by Explosive Breeding, Sweysive (NZ) made NZ$50,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Offered by Phoenix Park, he was bought by Upper Bloodstock and Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ). The son of Sweynesse was then consigned to the Woburn Farm draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, with Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) securing him for NZ$100,000.
Sweysive is the fifth foal of a 1200-metre winner, who is a half-sister to the Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) - a Listed winner who has thrown the Group 1 winner Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}).
Sweysive (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Sweysive’s dam is also a half-sister to Explosive Dancer (NZ) (San Luis) - a two-time winner who is the dam of G1 New Zealand Derby hero Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}).
Group 3 winner The Red Express (NZ) (Exploding Prospect {USA}) is another stakes-winning member of this family.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Sweysive has trialled in three of his five trials and will be handled by Mitchell Bell.
Looking Back
On Sunday, Abu Simbel (I Am Invincible) broke her maiden status in Race 2 at Werribee, while Oxfordshire, (Churchill {Ire}) was unplaced in Race 1. At Hawkesbury, Kureder (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) finished out of the money.
