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 travel far and wide on Thursday. Our first runner is a Brazen Beau colt on debut for Nick Ryan at Wangaratta. We then head west where a Peters Investments homebred filly steps out for the first time, and we come home with a 3-year-old from a Group 1 winner.
Wangaratta, Race 1, 12.30pm AEDT, Sportsbet Calcutta March 3 3YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1000m
Johnny Watts On, 3-year-old colt (Brazen Beau x Songs Of Vienna {Umatilla {NZ}})
This Nick Ryan-trained colt was passed in at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, when offered by Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds.
He is from a stakes-winning mare, who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 victress Hadabeclorka (Hurricane Sky).
Johnny Watts On as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Johnny Watts On is a half-brother to the Listed winner City Of Song (Bel Esprit) and she herself has produced the three-time winner Napoli (Snitzel).
The colt is closely related to the stakes winner Red Chiffon (Sovereign Red {NZ}), as well as the stakes performers Snogging (I Am Invincible), Heidi (Sovereign Red {NZ}) and Golden Step (Sovereign Red {NZ}).
Rhys McLeod has been booked for the colt’s debut.
Pinjarra Scarpside, Race 4, 6.30pm AEDT (3.30pm local), Perth Football Past Players Mdn, $22,500, 1400m
Reliable Queen (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Reliable Man {GB} x Dariana {Redoute’s Choice})
This filly was bred and is raced by Peters Investments and she is from the G1 Queensland Derby heroine of 2020.
Her sister, Reliable Choice (NZ), is a winner, while her Sepoy half-brother, Royal Soldier, is a three-time winner.
Reliable Man (GB) | Standing at Westbury Stud
The filly’s grandam, Beldarian (Ire) (Last Tycoon {Ire}), was a stakes performer in Ireland and has thrown the stakes performer Macduff (GB) (Machiavellian {GB}).
The Michael Grantham-trained runner has placed in two of four trials and will be partnered by Chris Parnham.
Pakenham, Race 6, 8.15pm AEDT, Sportsbet Future Stars Series Heat 3 - 3YO Mdn Plate, $75,000, 1400m
Always Hunting (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Cable Bay {Ire} x Veloce Bella {NZ} {Volksraad {GB}})
Bred by The Sunlight Trust, this gelding was consigned by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was bought by O'Brien Thoroughbreds for $170,000.
Always Hunting (NZ) is the fifth living foal from a star performer, who won 12 races, including a Group 1. Veloce Bella (NZ) has produced the stakes performer Walking Flying (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), among others.
Always Hunting (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding’s grandam, Wave To Lottie (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}), is a three-quarter sister to Macrowave (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) - the dam of of the Listed winner Secret Wave (NZ) (Red Tempo {NZ}).
The third dam, Tiger Lily (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {Ire}), is a half-sister to the stakes winners Fast Food (NZ) (Kirrama {NZ}) and Tiger Jones (NZ) (Ruling {USA}).
The Danny O’Brien-trained runner will be partnered by Jye McNeil from the inside gate.
Looking Back
It was a forgettable day on Wednesday, with Meet Me In Bondi (Snitzel) a non-runner in Race 2 at Wyong and Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) scratched from the first at Sandown-Hillside due to the track downgrade. We were left with Futile Resistance (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who finished third when on debut in Race 2 at Sandown-Hillside.
