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.
Friday at Pakenham, we pay attention to the anticipated first foal from the brilliant race filly I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible), while also at Pakenham we have a Tivaci half-brother to the Kiwi stakes winner Brando (NZ) (Savabeel). North to Eagle Farm, we have the first foal from the stakes-performer Luqyaa (Exceed And Excel).
Pakenham, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, Cookers Bulk Oil System Mdn (Chute), $40,000, 1200m
Orion The Hunter, 2-year-old colt (Deep Field x I Am A Star {NZ} {I Am Invincible})
This chestnut colt is the first foal from the brilliant race filly I Am A Star, whose nine Group wins included the G1 Myer Classic and G2 Let’s Elope S. She was also second in the G1 Thousand Guineas and third in the G1 Robert Sangster S. I Am A Star was every bit her name and she is also well-related as a full sister to the stakes-placed Band On The Run (I Am Invincible).
As expected, this colt got plenty of interest when he came onto the market. He was bred by Matthew Sandblom and consigned to the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Newgate Farm. He sold to Shane Nichols Racing for $800,000.
Orion The Hunter as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Orion The Hunter is trained by Nichols at Mornington and he’s had two preparations, the latest of which has seen him competitive in two trials. He was a winner over 900 metres at home on February 15 and he comes into this debut with jockey Zac Spain and barrier two.
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Duffy & Simon Lawyers Mdn, $40,000, 1000m
Free Willed (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Tivaci x Saoirse {NZ} {Iffraaj {GB}})
This filly is a half-sister to the stakes winner Brando, whose seven wins included the Listed Uncle Remus S. in Auckland. Brando was second in the G1 Levin Classic and G3 Easter H., while the second dam on this page is the O’Reilly (NZ) stakes winner Eire Hostess (NZ).
Free Willed was bred by Fairdale Stud in New Zealand, who purchased the dam Saoirse (NZ) for NZ$27,000 in 2016. As a 2-year-old, Brando sold to David Ellis’ Te Akau Racing operation for NZ$500,000, while another half-sister, Shirazabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), was a NZ$310,000 yearling in 2020.
Tivaci | standing at Waikato Stud
Free Willed is unraced and trained by Cindy Alderson at Cranbourne. She was second and third in two jump-outs this preparation, and in this debut she will have jockey Daniel Moor from barrier nine.
Ipswich, Race 3, 1.57pm AEDT (12.57pm local), Fillies and Fascinators QTIS 3YO Mdn, $30,000, 800m
Liquor, 3-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Luqyaa {Exceed And Excel})
This filly is the first foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Luqyaa, who was stakes-placed on three occasions in Melbourne and Adelaide. Luqyaa is a full sister to Knight Exemplar, who was second in the G2 Roman Consul S. and is now a Queensland stallion. The second dam on this page is the Royal Academy (USA) mare Charmview, who won the G3 Winter S. and was second in the G3 Doomben Roses S.
Liquor is an older half-sister to the Dundeel (NZ) 2-year-old colt Tannhauser, who is raced by Newgate Farm and China Horse Club in Sydney. Liquor was consigned by Milburn Creek to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, selling to Brian Siemsen’s Black Soil Bloodstock, John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) and Gollan Racing for $300,000.
Liquor as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is trained by Gollan at Eagle Farm and she was a last-start trial winner on Valentine’s Day. She will debut in this race with apprentice rider Angela Jones from barrier nine.
Looking Back
Our Looking Back selections for Thursday went only fairly. At Newcastle, Wild Mercy (Dissident) was unplaced, while at Pakenham, Simeon (Pierro) was second. At Albany, Wallarie (I Am Invincible) was unplaced also.
