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.
For racing on Tuesday, we kick off with Away Game’s (Snitzel) 2-year-old half-brother. We then head to Benalla, where a Snitzel filly with a huge pedigree gets her career underway, before Super Seth’s younger brother does the same.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Sky Racing 2YO Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Pirate, 2-year-old colt (Merchant Navy x Elusive Wonder {Elusive Quality {USA}})
This colt was bred by Peter O’Brien and was offered by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was bought by Michael Freedman Racing and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA), who paid $360,000 for him.
Pirate is a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Away Game (Snitzel) and the Listed victress Modern Wonder (Snitzel), as well as the three-time winner Cocoa Doll (More Than Ready {USA}).
Elusive Wonder is a half-sister to Tantra (Royal Academy {USA}) - a Listed victor at two.
Pirate as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A host of other stakes winners hail from this family, including Oak Park (More Than Ready {USA}), Freedom Fields (NZ) (Bluebird {USA}), Liberty Rose (Royal Academy {USA}, Dragon Leap (Pierro) and Inference.
The Freedman-trained colt has had two trials ahead of his debut, where Jason Collett will ride.
Benalla, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Brew & Toastie Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1206m
Hotzel, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Elzeeza {Hussonet {USA}})
Bred by Shadwell Stud Australasia, this filly was consigned by Yarraman Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Milano Bloodstock, Badgers Bloodstock and R Ryan paid $410,000 for her.
Hotzel is from a two-time winner, who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 winner Colorado Claire (Hussonet {USA}) - the dam of the Group 2 victor Gunnison (Not A Single Doubt). Elzeeza is also a three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Bubble Below (Hussonet {USA}) - the dam of the Group 1 hero Lucky Bubbles (Sebring), as well as the stakes performer Moonlight Hussey (Hussonet {USA}) and the unraced mare Lunar Lady (Hussonet {USA}) - the dam of Group 3 victress Selenia (Not A Single Doubt).
This filly is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in South Africa in 2017/18 Soqrat (Epaulette).
Hotzel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Hotzel’s grandam, Lunasong (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), was a stakes performer and she herself is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner Lunaspur (Flying Spur), who has thrown Colorado Claire and the Group 2 victor Moonovermanhattan (Manhattan Rain).
The Archie Alexander-trained filly, who was second in her lone trial, will be handled by John Allen and they will jump from gate two.
Benalla, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Benalla Grocers Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1406m
Rocket Scientist, 3-year-old gelding (Dundeel {NZ} x Salutations {Redoute’s Choice})
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd and Planette Thoroughbred, this gelding made $850,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, with Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock buying.
Rocket Scientist is a brother to the G1 Caulfield Guineas hero Super Seth, who now stands at Waikato Stud, and a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Wild Planet (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
Rocket Scientist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding’s second dam is Toast Of The Coast (Rory’s Jester), who won five races, including a Group 2. She has thrown the two-time winner Congenial (Redoute’s Choice) - the dam of the stakes performer Pearl Congenial (Gio Ponti {USA}).
Rocket Scientist's third dam, Solo Show (NZ) (Dahar {USA}), and fourth dam, Solo Performance (Without Fear {Fr}), were both Group winners.
Anthony and Sam Freedman train Rocket Scientist, who will be ridden by Damien Thornton.
Looking Back
Going back to Sunday, Kildrummie (Tarzino {NZ}) broke the ice at Bendigo, winning at the fourth time of asking, while Frose (Frosted {USA}) ran second at Werribee.
