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 Friday we look at two 3-year-olds - one by Pride Of Dubai, the other U S Navy Flag (USA) - debuting at Morphettville Parks. And at the Sunshine Coast, a homebred Proisir filly heads to the races for the first time.
Morphettville Parks, Race 1, 2.40 pm AEDT (2.10pm local), Seacliff Village Mdn Plate, $25,000, 1000m
I Tell Ya What, 3-year-old gelding (Pride Of Dubai x Petite {Reset})
Bred by Erinvale Investments, this gelding made $55,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. He was bought by Kim Harrison and trainer Jon O’Connor.
I Tell Ya What as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
I Tell Ya What is from a 2100-metre winner who is a half-sister to the Listed winner Ludka (Singspiel {Ire}) and the stakes performer Sarajevo (Lonhro). He is also closely related to the stakes winners Lailani (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}), Ley Hunter (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) and Copper Carnival (GB) (Petit Loup {USA}).
The O’Connor-trained gelding placed second in a Strathalbyn trial on September 21.
He will be ridden on debut by Todd Pannell.
Morphettville Parks, Race 2, 3.15pm AEDT (2.45 local) Guiness on Guineas Day October 14th Mdn Plate, $25,000, 1000m
Flying Yank (NZ), 3-year-old filly (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Guessed {Snippetson})
Bred by Llanhennock Trust, this filly was purchased for NZ$60,000 by John Hyam Racing and Cameron Cooke Bloodstock from the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
Flying Yank (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The filly is the fifth foal of a half-sister to the Group 2 victress Countess Christie (Marscay) and she is the dam of the Listed winner I Have No Fear (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Flying Yank’s grandam is the Listed scorer Brilliantdeduction (USA) (Capote {USA}) and she herself is a half-sister to the stakes winners Thumbsucker (USA) and Pretty Plum (USA) (Wajima {USA}).
The Hyam-trained filly, who was last in a Gawler trial on September 1, will be handled by Dylan Caboche.
Sunshine Coast, Race 3, 7.55pm AEDT (6.55pm local), Boss Building Maintenance Fillies and Mares Mdn H., $30,000, 1000m
Sassy Tap (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Proisir x Mrs Tappy {NZ} {One Cool Cat {USA}})
Ian Taplin bred this filly and she is trained by wife Kerry.
Sassy Tap is from a half-sister to the stakes performer Tappy’s Best (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and she herself is the dam of the Group 2 winner Tapildoodledo (NZ) (Proisir) and the Listed placegetter Hot Tap (NZ) (Proisir). The filly’s second dam, Tapildo (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}), won the G1 New Zealand Oaks in 2001. She is a half-sister to the Group 2 scorer Plagiarize (Stravinsky {USA}) and Haiku (Encosta De Lago) - the dam of the Group 1 victor Japonisme (Choisir).
Sassy Tap hasn’t shown much in two trials ahead of her debut, where she will be partnered by Todd Banks.
Looking Back
Schwarz (Zoustar) started at $1.30 and was too good for his rivals when on debut at Gosford. Cosmos (Snitzel) was unplaced at the same meeting, while Explicable (Justify {USA}) missed the top three in his race at Geelong.