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.
On Saturday all eyes will be upon Flemington for the running of Melbourne's first juvenile race - the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S., we look to a $1.15 million filly by Zoustar and a colt by Vinery's first-season sire Exceedance looking to get their careers of to the best possible start. Finally, we head to Eagle Farm where a Dubious colt looks to get off the mark.
Flemington, Race 2, 12.55pm AEDT, Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial S., $175,000, 1000m
Altermatum, 2-year-old filly (Zoustar x Alter Call {Fastnet Rock})
Ballarat-based trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have a strong hand in the first 2-year-old race in Melbourne - the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. at Flemington.
The McEvoys will be represented by Altermatum, a daughter of Zoustar, whose current crop of juveniles have already struck early with Espionage claiming the G3 Breeders’ Plate last Saturday.
Altermatum as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Altermatum is the third and sole live foal from the deceased Fastnet Rock mare Alter Call. She won twice and was placed at the Listed level.
Alter Call is a daughter of the grand mare Response (Charge Forward), a dual Group 1 victress and the dam of the Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab (Mossman) and the Group 3 winner Remarque (Snitzel).
Altermatum was a $1.15 million purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Flemington, Race 2, 12.55pm AEDT, Listed Darley Maribyrnong Trial S., $175,000, 1000m
Dublin Down, 2-year-old colt (Exceedance x Dublin Lass {O’Reilly {NZ}))
The second runner from the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable, Dublin Down, is the first runner for Vinery's G1 Coolmore Stud S. hero Exceedance.
The colt is the third foal from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Dublin Lass. She won seven races, including two at Listed level - the Starlight S. and the Bright Shadow S. In addition, Dublin Lass was placed in the G3 GH Mumm S.
Dublin Down as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Dublin Down is also from the family of dual G2 Emancipation S. victress Skyerush (Super Jet {USA}); she also placed at the elite level.
Dublin Down was a $370,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Edinburgh Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Eagle Farm, Race 2, 12.23pm AEDT (11.23am local), Widden Basil Nolan JR QTIS 2YO Plate, $85,000, 1000m
Sambuca, 2-year-old colt (Dubious x Licorice Stick {Lonhro})
Sambuca will look to become his first-season sire, Dubious’ first winner, on Saturday at Eagle Farm.
The Gold Coast-based trainer Lee Freedman trains the 2-year-old colt and is the seventh foal from the Lonhro mare Licorice Stick.
Sambuca as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Licorice Stick won three races and is the dam of the Listed victress, Je Suis Belle (Bel Esprit).
Furthermore, this is the family of G1 Salinger S. winner Flavour (Rubition) and Sonntag (Teofilo {Ire}), who claimed the G1 Queensland Derby.
Sambuca was a $180,000 purchase by Lee Freedman from the draft of Kenmore Lodge at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Friday's selection did not have much luck. I Tell Ya What (Pride Of Dubai) was unplaced at Morphettville Parks, while Flying Yank (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) was scratched. To round out our selections on Friday, Sassy Tap (NZ) (Proisir) was unplaced at the Sunshine Coast.
