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.
Wednesday's Randwick-Kensington meeting will see an expensive yearling purchase unveiled while a son of Deep Field will debut. Over in Queensland at Eagle Farm, a progressive galloper will look to break though at start three.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 2, 2pm AEST, TAB H., $60,000, 1300m
Casablanca, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Rising Romance {NZ} {Ekraar {USA}})
Rosehill-based training duo Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou will debut the blueblooded son of Snitzel, Casablanca, at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday.
The colt is the third foal from the Ekraar (USA) mare Rising Romance (NZ). She was a star on the track, claiming the G1 Australian Oaks alongside the G2 Royal S. and the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial S.
Casablanca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Rising Romance has been married to Snitzel since retiring. The first foal of their union produced the G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Yearning; the second was the Group 2-placed Magic, who was a $2.5 million purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Arrowfield at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Casablanca, consigned by his co-breeder Arrowfield Stud, made $1.4 million selling to TFI and Kia Ora Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 2, 2pm AEST, TAB H., $60,000, 1300m
Rock Empire, 3-year-old colt (Deep Field x King’s Ballet {NZ} (Danehill Dancer {Ire}})
The in-form stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will unveil Rock Empire, a son of Deep Field, at the Randwick-Kensington meeting on Wednesday.
The colt is the fourth foal from the Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare King’s Ballet (NZ). She won over 1350 metres and has produced the dual-winning Empress Bea, a full sister to Rock Empire.
Deep Field
The colt is related to the eight-time winner Playwright (NZ) (Fantastic Light {USA}). He claimed the G3 CS Hayes S. and ran third in the G1 Australian Guineas.
Furthermore, this is the family of Kavangh (SAf) (Tiger Ridge {USA}), a Group 2 winner who placed in the G1 Golden Horseshoe and the G1 Premier’s Champion S.
Eagle Farm, Race 2, 1.08pm AEST, Spring Carnival On Sale Now Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Flag Hall, 3-year-old colt (Starspangledbanner x Doubtfilly {Not A Single Doubt})
Gold Coast trainer Lee Freedman will saddle up Flag Hall for start three at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
The son of Starspangledbanner is the sixth foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Doubtfilly. She won six races, including the Listed Ascot H., and ran fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper.
Flag Hall as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Flag Hall is a half-brother to the Listed Gold Rush H. victor Tycoonist (Written Tycoon).
Furthermore, this is the family of Andromaque (USA) (Woodman {USA}), who claimed the G2 Prix de l'Opéra and placed in the G2 Sun Chariot S.
Flag Hall was a $180,000 purchase by DLF Racing Services from the draft of B2B Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Tuesday was successful for one of our selections. The Annabel Neasham-trained Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) broke his maiden at Scone. However, Winter's Promise (Frosted {USA}) was unplaced at Benalla.
