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 racing on Friday, we kick off at Seymour with an impeccably bred gelding, who is on debut for Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club and partners. We then head north to the Sunshine Coast, where a Pierro 2-year-old makes his first appearance at the races, and our final runner is a juvenile filly by The Autumn Sun, who gets her career underway at Cranbourne.
Seymour, Race 3, 2.30pm AEST, Go Seymour Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
The Cross, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Thee Auld Floozie {NZ} {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
Bred by Jamieson Park (Australia), The Cross was consigned by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock for $550,000.
The gelding is the first foal of an 11–time winner, who took out the G1 Thorndon Mile in 2017.
The Cross as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The Cross’ second dam, Thee Auld Hussie (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), won twice in Listed grade and all five of her foals to race are winners.
Third dam, Thee Old Dragon (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), was a Group 3 winner.
The Cross is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman at Flemington and will be ridden by Ben Allen.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 2.52pm AEST, Caloundra Arts Centre 2YO C&G Mdn H., $30,000, 1000m
Sparkle Motion, 2-year-old gelding (Pierro x Starry {Exceed And Excel})
Bred by Belinda Bateman, this gelding made $120,000 at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Offered by Newgate Farm, he was bought by Matthew Dunn, Neil Jenkinson and Topline Thoroughbreds.
Sparkle Motion is the first foal of a 900-metre winner who is a sister to the stakes performer Chicago Bull and the Group 2 winner Zululand.
Sparkle Motion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding’s grandam is the Group 2 scorer Dream Play (USA) (Hennessy {USA}) and she is a half-sister to the stakes winner Diplomat Lady (USA) (Forestry {USA}) and the stakes performer Foxcaller (USA) (Beau Genius {Can}). The latter is the dam of the stakes winners Dreamcall (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}) and Gangbuster (USA) (Langfuhr {Can}).
The Dunn-trained gelding has won one of his four trials and will be handled by Ashley Morgan.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 5.45pm AEST, Silks Cranbourne Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Autumn Angel, 2-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Angel Of Mercy {Hussonet {USA}})
This filly was consigned by her breeder, Arrowfield Stud, at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing paid $230,000 for her.
Autumn Angel is the fifth foal from a Group 3-winning mare, who has had two winners.
Autumn Angel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly’s grandam, Pieta (Clay Hero), won three races and is a half-sister to the Group 1 heroine Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky) and she herself is the dam of the Listed victress Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}). Pieta is also a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Blessum (Umatilla {NZ}).
The Moody-trained juvenile has the services of Daniel Stackhouse.
Looking Back
Two-year-old filly Causation (Not A Single Doubt) led before fading to finish fourth at Pakenham, while Doutelle, (Olympic Glory {Ire}) was unplaced at Hawkesbury.
