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.
On Wednesday, all eyes will be on the Randwick-Kensington meeting in Sydney as three quality colts are set to make their career debuts.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Furphy H., $60,000, 1550m
Mornington Pier, 3-year-old colt (Pierro x Lorna May {Redoute’s Choice})
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will debut a son of Pierro, Mornington Pier, at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The colt is the fourth foal from the Redoute’s Choice mare Lorna May. She won over 1300 metres and was placed in the Listed Canberra Guineas. Lorna May is the dam of Maybe The Best (I Am Invincible), who was placed in the Listed Gai Waterhouse H.
Mornington Pier as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, this is the family of Virage De Fortune (Anabaa {USA}), a victress of the G1 Australia S. and the G1 Sires’ Produce S.
Mornington Pier was a $180,000 yearling purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Furphy H., $60,000, 1550m
Cicada, 3-year-old colt (Justify {USA} x Night Call {O’Reilly {NZ}})
Fresh after being crowned the Champion Australian First Season Sire Justify (USA) is looking to get the new season off to a bang. The Annabel Neasham-trained Cicada at Randwick-Kensington will represent the American superstar on Wednesday.
The colt is the first foal from the winning O’Reilly (NZ) mare Night Call. She is a half-sister to Preferment (NZ) and Rezoned (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Preferment was the Champion Stayer in Australia in 2015/16, claiming five Group 1 victories, including the G1 Australian Cup and the G1 Turnbull S. and Rezoned scored at Group 3 level.
Cicada as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Cicada hails from the family of Ancient Song (Canny Lad). She was a nine-time victress, winning the G1 Salinger S. and the G2 Light Fingers S.
The colt was a $250,000 yearling purchase by Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 2, Drinkwise Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Dimitrov, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Lady Sharapova {Fastnet Rock})
Randwick-based trainer John O’Shea will debut a son of the Champion Australian General Sire I Am Invincible, Dimitrov, at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The colt is the fourth foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Lady Sharapova. She won over 1250 metres and was placed in the G3 Ming Dynasty H., the Listed Talindert S. and the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas.
Dimitrov as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Dimitrov descends from the family of the outstanding Alinghi (Encosta De Lago), who was the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia in 2004/05, winning the G1 Newmarket H., the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the G1 Thousand Guineas among her 11 victories.
The colt was a $300,000 yearling purchase by John O’Shea Racing from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
There was no joy for Tuesday's selections. In Print (Written By) and Winds Of Grace (I Am Invincible) were both unplaced in the second event at Pakenham on the Synthetic. We will have to wait to see Alaska De Lune (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) as she was scratched from her engagement at Pakenham.
