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 first focus on Cathay Bracelet (NZ), who will be attempting to become the Arrowfield Stud-based first-season sire The Autumn Sun’s first winner. We then head to Moonee Valley where Amur (Snitzel) will make his debut in Race 1. The day concludes at Doomben as Cifrado, the most expensive horse bought by Eureka Stud’s first-season sire Encryption in 2022, aims to become his sire’s second winner and first stakes winner when he runs in the
Randwick, Race 1, 12.20pm AEDT, Drinkwise Plate, $150,000, 1100m
Cathay Bracelet (NZ), 2-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Kechika {More Than Ready {USA}})
This Bjorn Baker-trained filly will be attempting to become the first winner for the Arrowfield Stud-based first-season sire The Autumn Sun when she lines up against some top-class competition at Randwick on Saturday.
A $160,000 purchase for Hughes Bloodstock at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in earlier in the year, the Little Avondale-bred Cathay Bracelet is out of placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Kechika, whose progeny is headed by Listed-placed filly Miss Madison (Astern).
Cathay Bracelet (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Kechika herself is daughter of G2 Australian Oaks winner Fatal Attraction (Zabeel {NZ}) and is therefore a half-sister to four-time winner Mystic Hour (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of Listed-winning duo Magical Dream (Dream Ahead {USA}) and Awaken (Dream Ahead {USA}).
The filly will break from barrier one with Rachel King booked to take the ride.
Moonee Valley, Race 1, 12.35pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Mates Mode H., $150,000, 1200m
Amur, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Leopard {Animal Kingdom {USA}})
James Cummings will unleash Amur on Saturday when the colt tackles this 1200-metre contest at Moonee Valley. The 2-year-old will jump from barrier two with Damien Oliver booked to take the ride.
Bred and owned by Godolphin, the son of Snitzel is out of the once raced Animal Kingdom (USA) mare Leopard, who hails from one of the most sought after and active families in the global Stud Book.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
The daughter of Animal Kingdom is herself out of top-class broodmare Essaouira (Exceed And Excel) and her seven winners are headed by multiple Group 1-winning Champion Alizee (Sepoy), G1 Golden Rose S. winner turned Darley sire Astern and Listed-placed Tassort, who is standing at Newgate Farm.
Doomben, Race 5, 3.30pm AEDT (2.30pm local), G3 BJ McLachlan S., $250,000, 1200m
Cifrado, 2-year-old colt (Encryption x Madame Fly {Excites})
Having finished runner-up in both of his starts, including last time out in the Listed Phelan Ready, Cifrado will look to go one better when he takes his chance in Saturday’s edition of the G3 BJ McLachlan S. at Doomben.
The Rex Lipp and Nicholas Hahn-trained colt was purchased by Cliff Little from the Eureka Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $320,000, making him the most expensive yearling sold by first-season sire Encryption in 2022.
Cifrado as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Out of dual-winning Excites mare Madame Fly, Cifrado is a half-brother to Listed Eureka Stud Classic winner Miami Fleiss (Spirit Of Boom) and stakes-placed gelding, Cochrane (Spirit Of Boom).
The colt also hails from the same family as G3 BRC George Moore S. winner Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) and fellow Group 3 winner Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom).
The colt has been drawn in barrier five with Boris Thornton booked to take the ride.
Looking Back
Our first selection on Friday, Nakedness (So You Think {NZ}), finished second at Yarra Valley, while Gift Of Oratory (Churchill {Ire}) finished fourth at the same track.
