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 the afternoon in New Zealand as Balance Of Power (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) looks to break the ice in the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO. Meanwhile, in Australia, all eyes will be on Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) and International (Pierro), who will be looking to get off the mark at Randwick and Moonee Valley respectively.
Pukekohe, Race 4, 4.08pm AEDT (6.08pm local), R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO, NZ$1,000,000, 1200m
Balance Of Power (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Almanzor {Fr} x Respin {NZ} {Power {GB}})
One of seven runners for his ownership group Te Akau and trainer Mark Walker, Balance Of Power will attempt to get off the mark in this NZ$1 million contest on Saturday, having finished third on his first start, second at Listed level on his second appearance and he was most recently seen finishing fifth in G2 Eclipse S.
By Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr), the colt was purchased by David Ellis for NZ$300,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022 from the Cambridge Stud draft.
Balance Of Power (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The juvenile is out of the Listed-winning daughter of Power (GB), Respin (NZ) and she is half-sister to stakes-placed Dame Margo Fonteyn (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
The colt will be ridden by Warren Kennedy from barrier 15 and he will be attempting to become Almanzor’s second winner of the race in as many years, having been represented last year by Dynastic (NZ), who is also incidentally raced by Te Akau.
Randwick, Race 1, 12.20pm AEDT, Petaluma H., $150,000, 1000m
Don Corleone, 2-year-old colt (Extreme Choice x Snipzu {Snippetson})
Named after one of the most revered characters in all of literature, this son of Newgate Farm’s gun stallion Extreme Choice will make his debut at Randwick on Saturday and he will jump from barrier 12 with James McDonald booked to take the ride.
Extreme Choice | Standing at Newgate Farm
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Don Corleone was purchased by co-owners Newgate Farm and China Horse Club for $650,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021 and he is out of Listed Gimcrack S. runner-up Snipzu, making him a half-brother to The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered), who won four races and also finished third in the G1 JJ Atkins.
Snipzu herself is out of dual winner Pilgrim (Danehill {USA}) making her a half-sister to dual winner Paredo (Better Than Ready), who was also placed at Listed level.
Moonee Valley, Race 1, 12.35pm AEDT, All-Star Mile On Sale Now 2YO H., $150,000, 1200m
International, 2-year-old filly (Pierro x Mondial {Ire} {Shamardal {USA}})
The James Cummings-trained and Godolphin-raced filly International will make her debut with Jamie Kah on board and she will jump from barrier two.
By Coolmore Stud’s resident stallion Pierro, the filly is out of placed Shamardal (USA) mare Mondial (Ire), who has already sired one winner in the shape of The Globe (Frosted {USA}).
Pierro | Standing at Coolmore
Mondial herself is out of G3 VATC Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner Mannington (Danehill {USA}), who is also the dam of G1 VRC Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}), Group 2 scorer Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}) and Group 3 triumphant Roheryn (Lonhro).
Looking Back
It was a very good day for Looking Ahead as our first selection, Graysong (I Am Invincible) finished third at Flemington, while the second selection was expensive filly Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) and she broke the ice at Canberra. Our final picks, Ganbare (Maurice {Jpn}) and Citizenship (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) saluted the judge at Canberra and Canterbury respectively.
