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.
Sunday the spotlight will be cast on two well-bred sons of the Champion Sires I Am Invincible and Written Tycoon at Mornington and Stawell respectively.
Stawell, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, bet365 Protest Promise 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1300m
The Cross, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Thee Auld Floozie {NZ} {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
Anthony and Sam Freedman will be responsible for another well-bred son of the Champion Sire I Am Invincible named The Cross.
He is the first foal from the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Thee Auld Floozie (NZ). She was a star in New Zealand winning 11 races including the G1 Thorndon Mile, the G2 Westbury Classic twice and the G3 Sunline Vase.
The Cross as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Thee Auld Floozie is a daughter of Thee Auld Hussie (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}) a multiple Listed winner who was placed at Group 3 level. Furthermore, this is the family of Thee Old Dragon (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) a Group 3 winner who was placed in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
The Cross was a $550,000 yearling purchase by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Mornington, Race 3, 2.20pm AEST, Slocombe Excavations Plate, $27,000, 1000m
Spirited Writings, 3-year-old gelding (Written Tycoon x Tarcoola Spirit {Stratum})
Cliff Brown will send out Spirited Writings for his second career start on Sunday at Mornington. The promising son of Yulong's Champion Sire Written Tycoon was placed second on debut and has a good chance to go one better on Sunday.
Spirited Writings is the first foal from the Stratum mare Tarcoola Spirit. She was a winner of two races and placed in the Listed Crockett S.
Spirited Writings as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tarcoola Spirit is a half-sister to Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago) who was crowned the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year in 2013/14 and was a winner of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Tarcoola Spirit is a daughter of Vivacious Spirit (Bel Esprit) who won the G3 How Now S.
Spirited Writings was a $120,000 yearling purchase by Cliff Brown Racing from the draft of Tarcoola Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Overall, Saturday proved a successful day for the selections when Kristilli (Hellbent) bounded away with the G2 Percy Sykes S. at Royal Randwick. Spicy Legend (Justify {USA}) put in another honest effort to run second in the first at Doomben. While Lady Of Savoy (NZ) (Tivaci) was unplaced in the Listed Redoute's Choice S. at Sandwon-Lakeside.
