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.
There are a host of meetings throughout Australia on Friday, with metro racing to take place at Doomben, The Valley and Canterbury. A number of 3-year-olds are on debut and we have found three - a Zoustar filly, a filly by Astern and a Russian Revolution filly.
Doomben, Race 3, 3.44pm AEDT (2.44pm local time), Nuturf QTIS 3YO Mdn H., $37,000, 1200m
Olentia, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Mabkhara {Anabaa {USA}})
Trained by Chris Waller, this filly was bred by Damijach Pty Ltd and was offered by Tyreel Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she was knocked down to Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency P/L (FBAA) for $310,000.
Olentia is a half-sister to stakes winners Malkovich (Choisir) and Wandabaa (Wandjina), as well as the Group 3-placed Seewhatshebrings (Sebring).
The filly is the eighth foal of a dual-winning mare and her third dam, Nasmah (At Talaq {USA}), won three races and was placed at Listed level on two occasions.
Olentia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Olentia’s grandam, Bukhoor (Jeune {GB}), is a half-sister to the Group 1 victress Rewaaya (NZ) (Singspiel {Ire}). Bukhoor is the dam of Lucky Eighty Eight (Lucky Owners {NZ}), who won seven races and was Group 3-placed.
Group 1 winner Sense Of Occasion (Street Sense {USA}) also features on this filly’s page.
Olentia, who will be ridden by Jim Byrne, has won one of her two trials.
Canterbury, Race 2, 6.30pm AEDT, Furphy H., $55,000, 1100m
Nanshe, 3-year-old filly (Astern x Melpomene {Elusive Quality {USA}})
This filly is bred and raced by Godolphin.
Nanshe is a half-sister to two stakes winners - the G2 Magic Night S. victress Calliope (Exceed And Excel) and the Listed Starlight S. winner Zethus (Exceed And Excel).
Melpomene herself was a handy racemare, winning three times and placing in Listed company on two occasions.
Astern, sire of Nanshe | Standing at Darley
This filly’s grandam is the G1 VRC Oaks heroine Bulla Borghese (Belong To Me {USA}), who is the dam of the Group 2 winner Bound For Earth (Northern Meteor).
Nanshe has gone winless in five trials but has run second three times.
Trained by James Cummings, Nanshe will be partnered by apprentice Zac Lloyd.
The Valley, Race 3, 7.10pm AEDT, Buddha 12 years @ Cirka Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Romanova, 3-year-old filly (Russian Revolution x Bond {Wanted})
Bred by China Horse Club Racing, this filly was consigned to the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where trainer Peter Moody paid $140,000 her.
Romanova is from a 1000-metre winner who is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Virage De Fortune (Anabaa {USA}) and she herself is the dam of the recent 2-year-old victress Remedies (Sepoy). Virage De Fortune has also thrown the four-time winner, Group 3-placed Subedar (Sepoy), as well as the stakes-producing sire Barbados.
Romanova as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
As well as Virage De Fortune and Bond (Wanted), Romanova’s grandam, Virage (Kenmare {Fr}), has also produced the seven-time stakes winner Avenue (Anabaa {USA}).
Romanova’s third dam is the great Emancipation (Bletchingly), who saluted in top company no less than six times.
The Moody-trained Romanova will be ridden by Luke Nolen.
Looking Back
On Thursday, Noble Serenade (Hellbent) ran second at Queanbeyan, while Sir Smitty (NZ) (Proisir) was unplaced at Wyong.
