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 at Randwick as 2-year-old colt Snapback (Snitzel) attempts to break his maiden, while Moscow Night (Written Tycoon) and Dark Powers (Snitzel) will both attempt to break the ice at Newcastle Beaumont.
Randwick, Race 1, 12.20pm AEDT, NJT Supports Kate Nipperness, $150,000, 1100m
Snapback, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Later Gator {NZ} {More Than Ready {USA}})
This 2-year-old colt by Arrowfield Stud-based Snitzel will make his debut at Randwick on Saturday and he will jump from barrier two with James McDonald booked to take the ride.
Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Snapback was purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing for $825,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2022.
Snapback as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He is out of dual-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Later Gator (NZ) making him a brother to Listed-winning filly Wee Nessy and three-time winner Adios.
Further back, this is the same family as Group 2 winner Light Up The World (Rory’s Jester), the dam of World Peace (Danehill {USA}) and she in turn produced Group 3 winner Chivalry (Street Cry {Ire}).
Newcastle Beaumont, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Tozer Air and Electrical CG&E Mdn H., $40,000, 1200m
Moscow Night, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Dream Play {USA} {Hennessy {USA}})
Having run twice as a 2-year-old, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Moscow Night will make his belated 3-year-old debut at Newcastle Beaumont on Saturday.
The son of Yulong Stud’s Written Tycoon is out of US Grade 2 scorer Dream Play (USA), whose four winners are headed by G2 VRC Sires' Produce S. winner and now Grenville Stud-based sire Zululand and stakes-placed Chicago Bull (Exceed And Excel).
Moscow Night as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Dream Play herself is out of Playcaller (USA) (Saratoga Six {USA}) and she is also the dam of Grade 1 winner Diplomat Lady (USA) (Forestry {USA}).
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, Moscow Night was bought by Tom Magnier and James Bester for $1.1 million at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and he will jump from barrier 10 with Winona Costin booked to take the ride.
Newcastle Beaumont, Race 6, 4.25pm AEDT, Tozer Air and Electrical F&M Mdn H., $40,000,1200m
Dark Powers, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Circe {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
This filly, Dark Powers, is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and will jump from barrier two with Winona Costin booked to take the sit.
The 3-year-old filly was purchased by her trainer and Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $450,000 at the 2021 edition of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Dark Powers as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The 3-year-old is out of the unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Circe, who is also the dam of stakes-placed Award Winner (Exceed And Excel).
Circe herself is a half-sister to Group 2-winning pair Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter) and Ferocity (Lion Hunter) and Group 3 scorer Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter). Leone Chiara herself is the dam of dual Group 1-winning Widden Victoria-based sire Star Witness and Group 3 winner and fellow sire Nostradamus.
Looking Back
Our first pick on Friday was Cardone (Written Tycoon), who produced a good performance to break his maiden at Canterbury, while Lutine Belle (Dundeel {NZ}) was unplaced on the same card. At Moonee Valley, Abstracted (Territories {Ire}) came home in fifth.
