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.
The Bendigo meeting on Tuesday will see the unveiling of two well-bred 'youngsters', including an Arrowfield graduate with a huge Japanese black-type pedigree.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 1, 1.30pm AEST, Ultratune 2YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m
King Protea, 2-year-old gelding (Pride Of Dubai x Merlene De Lago {Encosta De Lago})
The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock stable will debut a son of the in-form stallion Pride Of Dubai on Tuesday afternoon at Bendigo.
King Protea is the eighth foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Merlene De Lago. She was a four-time winner in South Africa, among those victories was the G2 South African Fillies Nursery and the G3 Ruffian S. Merlene De Lago was also placed in the G1 Scottsville South African Fillies Sprint S.
King Protea is a half-brother to the ill-fated Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) winner Burnstone (Redoute’s Choice) and the G2 Sires’ Produce S. placegetter Yaki Ishi (Maurice {Jpn}).
King Protea | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, Merlene De Lago is a half-sister to the unraced Shirley (Zabeel {NZ}), who is the dam of Dear Demi (Dehere {USA}). Dear Demi was a star on the track winning the G1 VRC Oaks and several Group 2 and 3 races. The daughter of Dehere (USA) was also placed in the G1 Caulfield Cup, G1 Underwood S. and G1 LSK Mackinnon S. amongst her numerous top-level performances. Dear Demi is in turn the dam of the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Mokulua (Redoute’s Choice).
The gelding was an $80,000 yearling purchase by Griffiths de Kock Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) from the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale when offered by Merricks Stations.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 3, 2.30pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1300m
Daiya, 3-year-old filly (Duramente {Jpn} x Bulbinella {Jpn} {Victoire Pisa {Jpn}})
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace camp will debut Daiya at Bendigo on Tuesday. The daughter of Duramente (Jpn) carries a huge Japanese pedigree and her sire is fresh off siring the winner of Sunday’s (local) G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) at Hanshin, Liberty Island (Jpn).
Daiya is the second foal from the unraced Victoire Pisa (Jpn) mare Bulbinella (Jpn).
Daiya as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bulbinella, albeit unraced, is a half-sister to Shonan Pandora (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), she was crowned the Champion Older Female in Japan in 2015 and ended her career a winner of the G1 Japan Cup and the G1 Kyoto Shuka Sho.
Furthermore, this is the family of the late Stay Gold (Jpn) who was crowned the Champion Older Male in the UAE in 2001 and a winner of the G1 Hong Kong Vase and G2 Nad Al Sheba Dubai Sheema Classic. As a sire, he carved out a hugely successful stud career siring 57 stakes winners.
The filly was a $500,000 yearling purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.
Looking Back
To see the Sunday selections of The Cross (I Am Invincible) and Spirited Writings (Written Tycoon) we will have to wait another day as both gallopers were scratched from their respective engagments.
