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.
We focus on racing in Victoria on Friday, with some well-related 3-year-olds set to debut at both Moe and Pakenham. Of particular note is a three-quarter sister to Zousain. That Matt Laurie-trained filly steps out for Yulong Stud under lights at Pakenham
Moe, Race 2, 1.10pm AEDT, Ian Grants Caravans Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Sir Packets, 3-year-old gelding (Encryption x Epsilon {Sequalo})
Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds bred this gelding and he was offered by Eureka Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Mick Huglin Racing and Bevan Smith Bloodstock paid $100,000 for him.
Sir Packets is from a four-time winner who is a half-sister to the Group 3 victress Cosmic Strike (Made Of Gold {USA}).
Sir Packets as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is closely related to the stakes winners Meryl (Epaulette) and River’s Lane (Street Cry {Ire}).
Jockey Daniel Stackhouse has been engaged.
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.45pm AEDT, Wonthaggi Hotel Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1400m
Shampas, 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Shantou {Sepoy})
This Chesapeake Thoroughbreds-bred filly made $65,000 at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, with Woodside Park Stud buying her from the Rushton Park consignment. Mick Price Racing And Breeding then paid $30,000 for her from the Morningside draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The filly is out of a three-time winner who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Hill Spy (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Shampas as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Shampas’ grandam is the Group 3 victress Shanzero (Danzero) and she is a half-sister to the Listed winner What’s The Mail (Flying Spur) and the stakes performer Emerging Star (Anabaa {USA}).
Craig Newitt will ride the filly from barrier one.
Pakenham, Race 4, 7.45pm AEDT, Henry Street Cellars 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Newzou (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Dark Hedges {Redoute’s Choice})
Kevin Hickman bred this filly and Yulong Stud bought her for NZ$115,000 at the Valachi Downs Unreserved Young & Racing Stock Dispersal.
Newzou (NZ) is from Redoute’s Choice mare Dark Hedges, making her a three-quarter sister to the Group 2-winning juvenile and multiple Group 1 runner-up Zousain, who now stands at Widden Stud.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
The filly’s second dam, Pasar Silbano (Ire) (Elnadim {USA}), scored in Group 3 company and she is a sister to the Listed winner Come To Heel (Ire).
The Matt Laurie-trained Newzou will be handled by Jamie Kah.
Looking Back
We had two runners in Race 4 at Hawkesbury; Duke Of Bronte (Capitalist) started favourite and finished fourth, while Hajra (Zoustar) was unplaced. At Echuca, Depth Charge (Written By) was fourth on debut in Race 3.
