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 at the Sunshine Coast where Campione (Zoustar) will attempt to break the ice at the first time of asking. We then move to Moe where Puppet President (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) looks to get off the mark at the first attempt.
Sunshine Coast, Race 3, 12.34pm AEDT (1.34pm local), Kaboom Concrete Plumbing Mdn H., $26,000, 1200m
Campione, 3-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Calcatta {Tale Of The Cat {USA}})
Trainer Kelly Schweida will be hoping Campione can get off to the perfect start when he lines up at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
The son of Zoustar is out of the Listed winner Calcatta (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), making him a half-brother to Listed-winning pair Tanker (Pride Of Dubai) and Lady Naturaliste (Choisir).
Campione as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Calcatta is one of six winners out of stakes-scoring mare Calchris (Commands), who produced another five winners.
Purchased by Tasman Bloodstock for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Campione will jump from barrier six with Kyle Wilson-Taylor booked to take the ride.
Moe, Race 2, 1.55pm AEDT, Ladbroke It! 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Puppet President (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Almanzor {Fr} x Cosmic Storm {GB} {Sea The Stars {Ire}})
The Chris Waller-trained Puppet President will make his debut at Moe on Sunday and he will be ridden by Craig Newitt from barrier one.
By Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr), the 3-year-old filly was purchased by her trainer, his bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster and Go Bloodstock for $200,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021.
Puppet President as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is out of dual-winning mare Cosmic Storm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and she is a half-sister to Listed winner Invincible Warrior (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
Further afield this is the same family as Group 1 winner Brando (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and US Grade 1 scorer Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).
Looking Back
Our first selection on Saturday, Corniche (Fastnet Rock), was scratched before the race, while Nazorian (Exceed And Excel) finished ninth at the Gold Coast and Fightertown (Snitzel) finished sixth at Rosehill.
