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.
It's a legendary weekend of sport across Australia, and the stakes and metropolitan action won't cease come Sunday, with Victoria holding the Sandown S. meeting at Sandown-Hillside. The meeting will also see two promising gallopers look to get a victory on board, while at the Sunshine Coast a son of Pierro will start his career.
Sandown-Hillside, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Tile Importer H., $150,000, 1400m
Lord Protector (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Savabeel x Ywahoo {NZ} {Per Incanto {USA}})
Sunday will see the Cranbourne-based trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young debut a son of Savabeel, Lord Protector (NZ) at Sandown-Hillside.
Lord Protector is the third foal from the Per Incanto (USA) mare Ywahoo (NZ). She is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Grand Dancer (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) and the Listed victress Aspinal (NZ) (Pins).
Lord Protector (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
In addition, Lord Protector is from the family of the Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (NZ), the Group 1-placed Packing Pins (NZ) (Pins) and the G2 Angus Armanasco victress Shopaholic (NZ) (Pins).
The colt was a $150,000 purchase by Busuttin Racing from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sandown-Hillside, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Tile Importer H., $150,000, 1400m
Copacabana, 3-year-old colt (Toronado {Ire} x Promenades {Lonhro})
The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Copacabana will hope he is third-time lucky when he lines up at Sandown-Hillside on Sunday.
The son of Toronado (Ire) is the fourth foal from the Lonhro mare Promenades. She is a half-sister to Transfers (Street Cry {Ire}), the dam of the Group 3 victor Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}).
Copacabana as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Railway S. victor Gathering (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and the G2 Avondale Guineas winner Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai).
Copacabana was an $850,000 purchase by Kitchwin Hills from the draft of Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT (12.20pm local), Fincierge Mdn H., $30,000, 1200m
Pairing, 4-year-old gelding (Pierro x Aonair {Fastnet Rock})
A 4-year-old gelding by Pierro, Pairing from the stable of Tony and Maddysen Sears, will debut at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Pairing is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Aonair. She won twice and is a daughter of the Listed-placed Perfect Persuasion (Encosta De Lago).
Pairing as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Perfect Persuasion is a full sister to the superstar Alinghi, who won four Group 1 races.
Pairing was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) for $170,000 from the draft of Willow Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
There was little joy with Saturday's selections. After Invincible Madison (I Am Invincible) faded into last in the G3 Gimcrack S., Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) was scratched from the G3 Breeders' Plate leaving the race up to Scampi (Blue Point {Ire}), who finished 10th.
