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.
While the big autumn racing carnivals are cooling down in Sydney and Melbourne, there are still plenty of untapped and unraced potential futures stars to be unveiled. On Saturday across Australasia the spotlight will be put on three promising debutants.
Mornington, Race 1, 12.15pm AEST, Mornington Peninsula News Group Sires, $150,000, 1200m
Rovno Amber, 2-year-old colt (Russian Revolution x Precious Gem {Econsul {NZ}})
Mornington-based trainer Shane Nichols will debut a son of Russian Revolution at his home track on Saturday afternoon.
Rovno Amber is the third and final from the late Econsul (NZ) mare Precious Gem. She was a Group 1 victress, claiming the 2016 edition of the G1 Robert Sangster S., overall Precious Gem was an eight-time winner also counting the Listed Anniversary Vase alongside her Group 1 victory.
At stud Precious Gem is the dam of Vancity Gem (Vancouver) who was a dual winner.
Rovno Amber as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Furthermore, this is the family of the stakes-producing stallions Fast ‘N’ Famous and Turffontein.
Both stallions were capable on the track with Fast ‘N’ Famous claiming the G3 Gilgai S. and placing in the G1 The Galaxy, while Turffontein was a dual Group 1 winner of the William Reid S. and Sir Rupert Clarke S.
Rovno Amber was bred by China Horse Club Racing and offered by Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was purchased by his trainer for $250,000.
Newcastle, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Open Living Outdoor Design 2YO Mdn Plate, $40,000, 900m
Yukan Rose, 2-year-old filly (Brave Smash {Jpn} x Rosie Quadrille {Exceed And Excel})
The progressive and now Yarraman Park-based first-season sire Brave Smash (Jpn) will be represented by the debutant Yukan Rose in the second race at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
The David Pfieffer-trained filly was third in a trial at Kembla Grange earlier in April in preparation for her first time at the races.
Yukan Rose is the fourth foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Rosie Quadrille. She was a winner over 1100 metres. At stud Rosie Quadrille has produced two winners, to date her best performer has been the seven-time winner Patented (Zoustar).
Yukan Rose as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is a half-sister to the triple Group 3-winner Judged (High Yield {USA}).
This is also the family of Lawyer, who was a winner of the G2 Royal Sovereign S. and G3 Norman Robinson S. in addition to being placed in three Group 1 contests.
Yukan Rose was a $160,000 yearling purchase by David Pfieffer Racing and Koolman Bloodstock from the draft of Noorilim Park at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Pukekohe Park, Race 5, 12.23pm AEST (2.23pm local), Listed Staphanos at Novara Park Champagne S., $80,000, 1600m
Just One (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Justify {USA} x Danex {NZ} {Danasinga})
Cambridge-based trainer Stephan Marsh will debut a son of leading first crop sire, Justify (USA), in the Listed Champagne S. at Pukekohe Park on Saturday afternoon.
Just One (NZ) is the 13th foal from the Danasinga mare Danex (NZ). She was placed in the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic and was fourth in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.
Just One (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Just One is a half-brother to Amexed (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) who was victorious in the G3 Rough Habit Plate. Just One is also a half-brother to Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) a highly regarded racemare who counted the G2 Matriarch S. and Listed Andrew Ramsden and Port Adelaide Cup on her CV. Oceanex sold for $1 million as a broodmare prospect to Kia Ora Stud and TFI Investments at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Just One was a NZ$220,000 yearling purchase by G Knight from the draft of Milan Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Friday's selections fared well. O’So Demanding (Written Tycoon) finished fourth on debut at Canberra on Friday afternoon, while Genzano (Maurice {Jpn}) at Tamworth and One Shot More (More Than Ready {USA}) fared better with placings on their debut efforts.
