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.
Our three horses to follow are all on debut and all will race on the synthetic track at Ballarat on Tuesday. Race 1 has a few interesting juveniles facing the starter for the first time and we have identified a So You Think (NZ) gelding and a Star Witness filly. Then, a 3-year-old, whose third dam is the multiple Group 1 heroine Perfect Promise (SAf) (Caesour {USA}), steps out in Race 1.
Ballarat-Synthetic, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Hertz Ballarat Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Ruminate, 2-year-old gelding (So You Think {NZ} x Stormy Road {Ire} {Gale Force Ten {GB}})
OTI Racing bred this juvenile and they retained him to race in partnership with others after he failed to meet his reserve at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
The gelding is from a winner at two and she is a half-sister to the 2019 G1 Turnbull S. hero Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), as well as Ashka (Ire) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}) - a Listed placegetter at Dundalk.
So You Think (NZ) | Standing at Coolmore
Other stakes winners on the 2-year-old’s page include Dance Dreamer (USA) and Revasser (USA) (Riverman {USA}).
Mitchell Aitken rides for trainer Matt Cumani.
Ballarat-Synthetic, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Hertz Ballarat Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Tahnee Baby, 2-year-old filly (Star Witness x Tahnee Topaz {Lonhro})
Bred by Caroda Bloodstock, Tahnee Baby was offered by Oaklands Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The filly was bought by 360 Bloodstock for $150,000.
She is the daughter of a former handy filly/mare - a four-time winner that earned more than $100,000 in prizemoney. Tahnee Topaz is a half-sister to three stakes performers - Prince De Galles (Anabaa {USA}), Servant (Commands) and Tahnee Tango (Grand Lodge {USA}). The latter is the dam of the Group 3 winner and Group 1-producing sire Worthy Cause.
Tahnee Baby as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Tahnee Baby is a half-sister to the Listed victress Evalina (I Am Invincible).
The Archie Alexander-trained filly will be handled by Declan Bates.
Ballarat-Synthetic, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Polytrack Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Code Of Silence, 3-year-old gelding (Shamus Award x Caesour’s Dream {NZ} {Nicconi})
Bred by Barree Stud, this gelding was consigned by Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to Henry Dwyer Racing for $180,000.
Code Of Silence is out of a two-time winner and Listed placegetter, while his second dam - Caesour’s Promise (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) - was winless in three starts and is a half-sister to the stakes winner More Energy (Fastnet Rock) and the stakes performer Hard Promise (Hard Spun {USA}).
Code Of Silence as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding’s third dam is the former top filly-mare - Perfect Promise - and she scored in top company on two occasions (in South Africa and Australia).
The 3-year-old was unplaced in a Geelong trial on January 31.
Looking Back
For our sunday selections the 2-year-old gelding Quade (Sidestep) finished second on debut in Race 1 at the Sunshine Coast, before Omilana (Capitalist) won Race 2. Storm Force Ten (Fastnet Rock), who was slated to contest the race won by Omilana, was scratched.
