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 midweek racing, we have one runner at each of Sandown-Hillside, Warwick Farm and Doomben. All are on debut. In Melbourne, we focus on an Almanzor (Fr) colt, while in Sydney, it’s a filly by Exceed And Excel. And in Brisbane, we’ve found a well-related Spirit Of Boom filly.
Sandown-Hillside, Race 2, 1.35pm AEST, Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Plate, $55,000, 1500m
To Be Frank (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Almanzor {Fr} x Veronica Franco {NZ} {Johar {USA}})
Bred by Andar Ltd, this colt was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $130,000.
To Be Frank (NZ) is the fourth foal of a Group 3 victress and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed winners Diamond Hailey (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Waterford (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
To Be Frank (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other stakes winners on the colt’s page include Laketon (USA) (Lake George {USA}) and Bold Second (USA) (Bold Tropic {USA}).
To Be Frank was unplaced in a Cranbourne trial on September 4.
Ethan Brown has the ride.
Warwick Farm, Race 3, 2.35pm AEST, Drinkwise Plate, $100,000, 1200m
Drift Net, 3-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Seine Net {Street Cry {Ire}})
A homebred for Godolphin Australia, this filly is from a two-time winner who is a half-sister to the Group 1 heroine Alverta (Flying Spur), as well as the Group 3 scorer Aerobatics (Exceed And Excel), the Listed winner Revolte (French Deputy {USA}), and the stakes performer Star Mystic (Flying Spur).
Exceed And Excel | Standing at Darley
Other stakes winners on Drift Net’s page include Banksia (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and Porte Bonheur (USA) (Hennessy {USA}).
The James Cummings-trained filly, who has been to the trials on four occasions, will be handled by Zac Lloyd.
Doomben, Race 5, 2.53pm AEST, BRC Fillies and Mares Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Deep Tiara, 3-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Countercurrent {Hinchinbrook})
Bred by Golden East Horse, this filly was consigned by Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was knocked down to Tasman Bloodstock for $275,000.
Deep Tiara is the first foal of a two-time winner who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Australia Day (Sebring).
Deep Tiara as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is also closely related to the stakes winners Cooldini (Bernardini {USA}), Correct Amoondo (Snippets), Don Bellotto (Bellotto {USA}), Hysterical (NZ) (Wolverton {Ire}) and Hy Fuji (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}) - the dam of the elite-level hero and Group 1-producing sire Kermadec (NZ).
The David Vandyke-trained Deep Tiara - a winner of her one and only trial, will be ridden by Ben Thompson.
Looking Back
In Race 2 at Swan Hill, Xtra Stormy (Xtravagant {NZ}) finished third on debut, while Circus King (Trapeze Artist) was scratched. In Race 4, Dream Reality (Redoute’s Choice) was scratched.
