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.
For racing on Thursday, we look at a trio of 3-years-olds that are on debut. Our first runner is a Capitalist colt from a Grade 2-winning US mare and he will step out at Gosford. Then, we head to Pakenham, where a well-related ‘Vinnie’ filly and a daughter of Russian Revolution line up on the synthetic surface.
Gosford, Race 3, 1.50pm AEST, Scape Properties Mdn H., $42,000, 1000m
Rapido, 3-year-old colt (Capitalist x Madame Cactus {USA} {Cactus Ridge {USA}})
Bred by Olly Tait, this colt was consigned by Twin Hills Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $700,000.
Rapido is the fifth foal of a Group 2 winner who has thrown two winners.
The colt’s grandam, An Annika Moment (USA) (Mecke {USA}), was a winner in the US and is a half-sister to the stakes performer Soreadyforspring (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).
Rapido as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other stakes winners on Rapido’s page include Six Crowns (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) and Dominican (USA) (El Corredor {USA}).
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, the colt has placed in two of three trials and will be ridden by Brett Prebble.
Pakenham-Synthetic, Race 3, 2pm AEST, EquineTrain Centre Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Moesha, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Princess Coup {Encosta De Lago})
Bred by Evergreen Rich, this filly was offered by Evergreen Stud Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She was bought by Rosemont Stud and David Redvers Bloodstock for $650,000.
Moesha is the 10th foal of a multiple Group 1 victress who has produced the dual Group 3 winner Argentia (Frankel {GB}), as well as the Group 3 scorer and 2014/15 Champion Griffin in Hong Kong Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice). Princess Coup is a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 winner Sovereign Nation (Encosta De Lago) and the stakes performer Houston Benefactor (Encosta De Lago).
Moesha as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly’s grandam is the three-time Listed victress Stoneyfell Road (Sovereign Red {NZ}).
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Moesha, who won a Cranbourne trial on August 7, will debut under Jamie Kah.
Pakenham-Synthetic, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, GG Engineering 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Red Sparks, 3-year-old filly (Russian Revolution x Sparks Alight {Rakti {GB}})
This filly was consigned by her breeder - Diamond Park Breeding and Racing - at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Ellerton Racing went to $130,000 for her.
Red Sparks is the second living foal of a five-time winner who has thrown the Listed victress Sparks Fly (Flying Spur) and the stakes performers El Spark (Elvstroem) and Sparks Burn (Niello).
Red Sparks as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Dual Spark (Spartacus) is Red Sparks’ second dam. She won four races and was placed in Group 3 company and is a half-sister to the Listed winner Rancho Spark (Rancho Ruler).
The Mat Ellerton-trained Red Sparks will be handled by Craig Newitt.
Looking Back
Lost (Exceed And Excel) and Ravenclaw (Harry Angel {Ire}) were both unplaced in Race 1 at Ranwick, while Sekani (Dundeel {NZ}) also finished out of the money in Race 2.
