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 Wednesday's selections we have a pair of 2-year-olds, including a million-dollar yearling from the stable of Champion Trainer Chris Waller who is sure to garner plenty of attention as he makes his debut at Warwick Farm. Whilst we turn to Victoria for a second juvenile, in between we have a Merchant Navy 3-year-old looking to get off the mark at the second attempt.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, Home Affairs at Coolmore H., $55,000, 1100m
Cap Ferrat, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x C’Est Beau La Vie {Bernardini {USA}})
The Chris Waller-trained debutant Cap Ferrat is the third foal from Bernardini (USA) mare C’Est Beau La Vie, a Listed winner and placed in the G1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks. The colt’s third dam is the famed broodmare Tugela (USA) ({Riverman {USA}), who is the dam of Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee and triple G1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (GB) {Desert King {Ire}).
Cap Ferrat was a $1.4 million purchase by Tom Magnier from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling when consigned by Arrowfield Stud, and the colt races for an ownership group that includes Coolmore, Woppitt Bloodstock, Chris Waller Racing and Sir Peter Vela.
Cap Ferat as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
He comes to the races on Wednesday at Warwick Farm on the back of a 900-metre trial at Rosehill on Monday, February 13, where he finished third, 2.85l away with James McDonald aboard. The Champion jockey is again booked to ride for Cap Ferrat’s debut, and the pair will jump from barrier five.
Doomben, Race 2, 3.13pm AEDT (2.13pm local), Cascade CG&E Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Naval Trader, 3-year-old gelding (Merchant Navy x Roses For Deb {High Chaparral {Ire}})
Naval Trader will have his second career start for training partnership Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted on Wednesday after an encouraging debut effort when placed at Eagle Farm on February 8 over 1200 metres, when he was beaten 0.16l.
Naval Trader is the only foal for the unraced, well-related High Chaparral (Ire) mare Roses For Deb who sadly passed away several days after giving birth to the now gelding in 2019.
Roses For Deb is a daughter of multiple-Group 2 and Group 3 winner Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter). Chinchilla Rose was one of four individual stakes winners produced by Chiara (Last Tycoon {Ire}). Chiara also produced Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter), and that mare herself would produce three individual stakes winners, the best being dual-Group 1 winner turned Widden Stud sire Star Witness.
Naval Trader as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, this is the family of stakes winners such as Vulpine (Snitzel), Chiaramonte (Redoute’s Choice) and Pohutukawa (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Naval Trader was purchased for $120,000 by Proven Thoroughbreds and O’Dea/Hoysted Racing from the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when consigned by Fernrigg Farm. He will jump from the advantageous barrier one with Jaden Lloyd engaged to ride on Wednesday at Doomben.
Ladbrokes Park Lakeside, Race 1, 3.05pm AEDT, Ladbroke It! Plate, $55,000, 1200m
Forever More, 2-year-old filly (Starspangledbanner x Shake That {Toorak Toff})
Forever More was a winner of a 1000-metre Geelong trial on January 31, beating Freakofnature (Snitzel), subsequently a smart debut winner at Sandown-Hillside on February 15. Forever More was placed on debut at Bendigo on February 18 over 1000 metres, beaten by 1l, and she now looks to improve on that promising first run.
The filly is the third foal from Toorak Toff mare Shake That, who was placed during her racing career. Shake That is a half-sister to Schilling (Bianconi {USA}) and Estonian Princess (Snitzel). Both stakes winners, Schilling counted the G2 MRC Sandown Guineas among his three victories, while Estonian Princess won the G3 ATC James HB Carr S.
Starspangledbanner | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Retained to race by her breeder’s, Rosemont Stud, Forever More will have her second career start at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday for trainers Leon and Troy Corstens. With Jordan Childs engaged to ride, she has drawn barrier three.
Looking Back
Tuesday's selections provided little joy, though began with the promising debut run of 2-year-old colt Tymon (Rubick), who finished second on debut at Bendigo. Richard and Will Freedman's 3-year-old filly Social Butterfly (Lonhro) managed only seventh on debut at Gosford before Arctic Breeze (Sebring) finished last on debut back at Bendigo.
