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.
As stakes races abound for the juveniles on Saturday, we look to the key G1 Golden Slipper lead-up races at Royal Randwick for two selections before turning to a well-related leading hope in the G1 Blue Diamond S.
Royal Randwick, Race 3, 1.30pm AEDT, G2 Elite Sand and Soil Skyline S., $250,000, 1200m
Bases Loaded, 2-year-old colt (Deep Field x Passarelle {Not A Single Doubt})
In a professional debut at Randwick-Kensington on February 3, Bases Loaded got off the mark in solid fashion for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, scoring by 0.57l in an 1100-metre maiden.
Stepping straight into stakes company on his second start, he takes on the fancied Chris Waller trainee Shinzo (Snitzel), who was third on debut in the G3 Canonbury S.
A half-brother to Group 3-placed Shebringzit (Sebring), Bases Loaded is out of the unraced Not A Single Doubt mare Passarelle, herself a half-sister to three stakes winners including Group 2 winner Silverstream (Brocco {USA}) and G3 Adrian Knox S. winner Speedy Natalie (Al Maher).
Bases Loaded as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bred by Willaroon Thoroughbreds, Bases Loaded was originally a $290,000 weanling purchase for Hunter Valley Thoroughbreds, and was sent to the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale under the Tyreel Stud banner, where he sold to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Starlight for $400,000.
Bases Loaded will jump from barrier three on Saturday, with Tim Clark booked to ride.
Royal Randwick, Race 6, 3.20pm AEDT, G2 Catanach’s Sweet Embrace S., $250,000, 1200m
Lazzago, 2-year-old filly (Capitalist x Lake Como {NZ} {Pins})
A winner on debut at Randwick on December 17, scoring by 0.42l in an 1100-metre maiden, Lazzago was subsequently fourth in the rich R. Listed Inglis Millennium on February 11, and now looks to stake her claim for the G1 Golden Slipper S. in the G3 Sweet Embrace S., a key lead-up race.
The first winner for well-related Pins mare Lake Como (NZ), Lazzago hails from the family of Khulaasa (Epaulette), Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}) and Aryaaf (Epaulette), all 2-year-old stakes winners during their careers.
Lazzago as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Running in the purple and white hoops of Woppitt Bloodstock, Lazzago was secured by them at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $460,000 when consigned by Widden Stud.
The Chris Waller-trained Lazzago will jump from barrier seven on Saturday, with Hugh Bowman returning from Hong Kong to take the ride.
Ladbrokes Park Lakeside, Race 7, 4.20pm AEDT, G1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond S., $2,000,000, 1200m
Steel City, 2-year-old filly (Merchant Navy x Pittsburgh Flyer {Street Cry {Ire}})
Steel City has placed in her two starts to date, including second in the G3 Widden S., on January 28, behind subsequent R. Listed Inglis Millennium winner Learning To Fly (Justify). She was also placed behind Red Resistance (Russian Revolution) on debut in an 1100-metre maiden on January 14, with the form again backing up when Red Resistance won the G3 Canonbury S. on his next start.
Steel City’s dam Pittsburgh Flyer was a Group 3 winner during her career and has already produced G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner September Run (Exceed And Excel).
Steel City as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Steel City was consigned to Coolmore Stud’s 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, where she was secured by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Best Bloodstock for $700,000.
Stepping up to 1200 metres for the first time, Steel City will jump from barrier five on Saturday, with an in-form Blake Shinn to ride.
Looking Back
Friday's selections yielded little joy. After Duly Elected(I Am Invincible) was scratched at Lismore, 2-year-old filly Untouchable Legend (I Am Invincible) managed fourth at Canterbury whilst 3-year-old filly Lazy Susan (Capitalist) went one better to finish third at The Valley.
