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.
Kembla Grange will host three well-bred 3-year-olds making their race debuts on Saturday.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 1.40pm AEST, Tyler Schiller Champion Apprentice Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1400m
Vermeer, 3-year-old colt (Zoustar x Vergara {Snippetson})
Champion Trainer Chris Waller will debut a son of the Champion Sire Zoustar, Vermeer, at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The colt is the third foal from the Snippetson mare Vergara. She was an eight-time winner from 1200 to 1900 metres, counting the G3 Epona S. and the Listed Mona Lisa S., in addition to running fourth in the G1 Doncaster H.
Vermeer hails from the family of Turffontein, a victor of the G1 William Reid S. and the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S.
Vermeer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Blue Gum Farm offered Vermeer at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, where BBT Breeding and Racing paid $360,000.
The colt was reoffered as a yearling by Newhaven Park, selling to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing for $900,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 1.40pm AEST, Tyler Schiller Champion Apprentice Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1400m
Big Shot Legend, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Karavali {NZ} {Nadeem})
Rosehill-based trainer Chris Waller will be represented by a strong contingent of debutants at Kembla Grange on Saturday, among them Big Shot Legend, a son of the Champion Sire Written Tycoon.
The colt is the first foal from the Nadeem mare Karavali (NZ). She was a five-time winner, winning from 1000 to 2000 metres, counting the G3 Aspiration Quality, and running fourth in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Big Shot Legend as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Karavali is a full sister to Sir Nate (NZ), who won six races from 800 to 2100 metres, winning at Listed level and placing in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Furthermore, Big Shot Legend is from the family of the G1 Captain Cook S. victress Penny Gem (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
Big Shot Legend was a $575,000 yearling purchase by Legend Racing from the draft of Zhongli Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 2.15pm AEST, Thoroughbred Publishing Mdn H., $42,000, 1200m
Mickey’s Medal, 3-year-old gelding (Brave Smash {Jpn} x Olympic Medal {USA} {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
Warwick Farm-based trainer Annabel Neasham will debut a son of Brave Smash (Jpn), Mickey’s Medal, at Kembla Grange.
The gelding is the first foal from the unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Olympic Medal (USA). She is a half-sister to Heavenly Curlin (USA), a victress of the G3 Maple Leaf S. at Woodbine.
Mickey’s Medal hails from the family of Redoute’s Choice and the Group 1-producing sire Rubick.
Mickey's Medal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Furthermore, this is the family of the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia in 2017/18, Shoals (Fastnet Rock), a winner of the three Group 1 contests.
Mickey’s Medal was a $70,000 weanling purchased by Edinburgh Park Stud from the draft of Valiant Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Edinburgh Stud reoffered Mickey’s Medal at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, selling to Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire for $225,000.
Looking Back
Friday's selections fared well. Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) scored on debut at Geelong in the opening event. Navy Blood (Merchant Navy) was unplaced at Muswellbrook, while Establish (Dundeel {NZ}) was scratched from her engagement at Geelong.
