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.
Just the two runners for us to look at on Friday. The first is a well-related U S Navy Flag (USA) gelding, who is on debut at Coffs Harbour, while the second is a Written By filly with a nice pedigree - she too is facing the starter for the first time (on the synthetic surface at Ballarat).
Coffs Harbour, Race 1, 12.20pm AEST, Ooh Media 3YO Plate, $30,000, 1200m
Rule Of Salex (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Charmeuse {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
Kevin Hickman bred this gelding and he was consigned by Valachi Downs at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) went to NZ$50,000 for him. He then made NZ$90,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, with Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock buying him from the Riversley Park draft.
Rule Of Salex (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Rule Of Salex (NZ) is the fifth foal of an unraced half-sister to the Group 2 scorer Needle And Thread (Makfi {GB}) and the Listed winner Savile Row (who now stands at Mapperley Stud).
Other stakes winners on the gelding’s page include the Group 3 victress Chintz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) - the dam of the Group 1 heroine The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) - and the Group 3 winner Buckhurst (Ire) (Adelaide {GB}).
Rule Of Salex, who has placed in two of his three trials, will be partnered by Matthew McGuren.
Ballarat-Synthetic, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Global Turf 3YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m
By The Book, 3-year-old filly (Written By x Blue Ocean {Fastnet Rock})
Bred by Aquis Farm, this filly made $60,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. She was bought by Kambula Stud from the Valiant Stud draft. Kambula Stud then offered her at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale and McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $145,000 for her.
By The Book as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
By The Book is the third foal of a 1600-metre winner and she herself is a three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Pickin’ Time (Fastnet Rock) and a half-sister to the Listed victress Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De lago) - the dam of the Group 1 heroine Fangirl (Sebring).
The filly’s grandam is Special Harmony (Spinning World {USA}) - a triple Group 1 scorer who is a half-sister to the stakes winners King Canute (King Of Kings {Ire}) and Redwoldt (King Of Kings {Ire}).
The Team McEvoy-trained filly will be handled by Harry Coffey.
Looking Back
Fire Star (Deep Field) made the perfect start to his career, taking out Race 1 at Wyong. Solar System (Deep Field), who was also on debut, was third in the same race. Later, Hell Of A Show (Hellbent) started favourite but was unplaced.
