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.
Friday at Scone, we look at a nice Snitzel gelding from a well-related, stakes-placed mare, while at Mornington, we have a smartly bred filly from the superb Calvinia (Varick {USA}) family. Also at Mornington and in the same race, we look at a filly whose half-sister was a two-time Group winner.
Scone, Race 2, 1.40pm AEDT, Portland Sky-Deep Field-Best Son @Widden Stud Country Boosted Mdn, $30,000, 1000m
Nebraskan, 3-year-old gelding (Snitzel x Prairie Star {NZ} {High Chaparral {Ire}})
This gelding is from the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Prairie Star (NZ), who was stakes-placed and twice fourth at Group 2 level. The mare is a half-sister to the Listed winner Marianne (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who in turn is the dam of the G2 Tulloch S. winner Yaletown (Vancouver). Nebraskan himself is well-related as a Snitzel half-brother to two stakes-placed horses, including Fortress Command (Sebring), who was fourth in the G1 Champagne S.
Nebraskan was consigned by Widden Stud to the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was snapped up by TFI for $520,000.
Nebraskan as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The gelding is trained for Tony Fung by Brett Cavanough in Scone and he has been very good to date, winning both his trials at home and then at Beaumont (Newcastle) last month. He comes into this debut with jockey Mitchell Bell and barrier 10.
Mornington, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, The Big Screen Company Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Indaza, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Ektifaa {More Than Ready {USA}})
Three-year-old debutante Indaza is the second foal from the South African dual Group winner Ektifaa. Ektifaa herself is a daughter of Stellar Vinia (Redoute’s Choice), and this is an outstanding family from the third dam Calvinia (Varick {USA}). It has produced such siblings as Champion Sprinter Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad), Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}), Fireworks (Snitzel) and Stiker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}).
Indaza was consigned by Yarraman Park to the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She was bought by Kia Ora Stud for $900,000.
Indaza as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace at Cranbourne, and in a pair of hometown jump-outs she was promising, finishing second in the last one on October 9. She comes into this debut with jockey Teo Nugent and barrier 12.
Mornington, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, The Big Screen Company Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Rich Curves, 3-year-old filly (Rich Enuff x She’s Curvaceous {Flying Spur})
This filly is a daughter of the Flying Spur mare She’s Curvaceous, making her a half-sister to the very good Rich Hips (Written Tycoon), who twice won the G3 VRC HKJC S., as well as the G3 Mannerism S. A Nicconi half-sister to both of these horses was also fourth in the G1 VRC Oaks. She’s Curvaceous is a full sister to the Group 2-winning, Group 1-placed Velasco (NZ) (Flying Spur), herself the dam of the Group 3-winning Debellatio (Smart Missile).
Rich Curves was consigned to the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by Little Hills Pastoral Company. She was bought by that good judge John Foote, of John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA), and Feek Racing for $100,000.
Rich Curves as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is trained by David and Coral Feek at Mornington, and she has had three trials to date, the latest of which was on October 11, in which she was fifth. She heads into this debut with barrier six and jockey Liam Riordan.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections on Thursday fared reasonably well. At Ipswich, Trapeze Flyer (Trapeze Artist) was fifth, while at Gosford, Nefertari (American Pharoah {USA}) was third. At Ballarat, Heart Of Glass (Impending) was a winner.
