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 Thursday we look to three 3-year-olds, at Kyneton, we have a Toronado (Ire) gelding from the family of dual Group 1 winner Miracles Of Life (Not A Single Doubt), whilst at Pakenham we have a Spirit Of Boom filly and a colt by 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa (Jpn).
Kyneton, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, Toward Reward Thoroughbreds Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Tyaak, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado {Ire} x Choix Belle {Choisir})
The Jody Thompson-trained Tyaak will make his debut in this race, with Teo Nugent booked to ride. The gelding has drawn a tricky barrier in 12 for the 1200-metre event. Tyaak comes to the races after winning two Kilmore jump-outs over 1000 metres, the most recent of which was on February 8.
Tyaak as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tyaak’s dam, Choix Belle, is a granddaughter of the G3 Mannerism S. winner Miss Jugah (Jugah {USA}). Furthermore, this is the family of Miracles Of Life, a flashy filly who counted the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Robert Sangster S. among her eight wins.
The gelding was a $110,000 purchase by Jody Thompson when offered by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, Computer Talk – Business I.T Experts Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Spirit Dancer, 3-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Hold Me Closer {Danehill Dancer {Ire}})
The Nikki Burke-trained Spirit Dancer debuts in this race at Pakenham after winning a 650-metre jump-out at Cranbourne on February 27. The filly is the fourth live foal from the Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Hold Me Closer, who was twice a winner during her racing career.
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud
Spirit Dancer is a half-sister to the G3 Caulfield Classic S. winner Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}) and Group 2-placed Daily Bugle (Press Statement). Furthermore, this is the family of How Funny (Rory’s Jester), a fast filly who was placed in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Ethan Brown has been booked to ride the filly and she will jump from barrier four in the 1000-metre event. Spirit Dancer has been retained to race by her breeders, the Williams family.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Liberty Equipment Hire Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Mishima, 3-year-old colt (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn} x Lunatique {Jpn} {Deep Impact {Jpn}})
Mishima’s debut saw him finish fourth over 1000 metres at Pakenham on the synthetic surface back in June last year. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt returns to the races after a break, and he was placed in an 800-metre jump-out at Cranbourne on February 13. The colt will jump from barrier five with Daniel Moor booked to ride.
Bringing an international flavour to this race, the colt is a son of 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa, the sire of champion Almond Eye (Jpn) and G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and now Yulong-based sire Tagaloa.
Mishima as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mishima’s dam the unraced Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Lunatique (Jpn) is a full sister to Japan’s 2020 Champion Older Male Fierement (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Furthermore, this is the family of Godolphin’s durable campaigner Inns Of Court (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a Group 2 winner and dual Group 1 placegetter in France.
The colt was a $580,000 yearling purchase for Yulong Investments when offered by Arrowfield Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Wednesday’s selection’s provided little joy; the high-priced colt Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) was unplaced in his debut run at Warwick Farm. However, Naval Trader (Merchant Navy) posted another promising effort when he finished second at Doomben. The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained 2-year-old filly Forever More (Starspangledbanner) finished fifth in her second career start at Sandown-Lakeside.
