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.
Three well-related 3-year-olds will make their racetrack debuts on Sunday.
Sunshine Coast, Race 1, 2.10pm AEDT (1.10pm local), Coolum Beach Mitre 10 Mdn H., $30,000, 1000m
Commandoro, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Rose Of Sharon {Encosta De Lago})
The locally based trainer David Vandyke will debut a son of I Am Invincible, Commandoro, at his home track on Sunday.
The November-born gelding is the ninth foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Rose Of Sharon. She was placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks and is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice).
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
Rose Of Sharon is the dam of Time Is Precious, a daughter of Snitzel who has been placed at the Group 2 level as a juvenile.
Vandyke Racing paid $250,000 to secure Commandoro from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sale, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, TRFM 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1400m
O’Caldino, 3-year-old colt (Dundeel {NZ} x Tides {Fastnet Rock})
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will unveil the regally bred O’Caldino, a son of Dundeel (NZ).
The colt is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Tides, a winner of three races and a full sister to Shoals and Groundswell.
O'Caldino as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Shoals was an outstanding and versatile galloper, winning the G1 Myer Classic over the mile and the 1200-metre G1 Robert Sangster S., while Groundswell has won twice at the Listed level.
O’Caldino was a $400,000 purchase by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sale, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, TRFM 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1400m
Super Dawn, 3-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Enchanted Dawn {USA} {War Front {USA}})
On Sunday at Sale, the well-related Super Dawn, a daughter of Exceed And Excel, will debut for Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
The filly is the fourth foal from the War Front (USA) mare Enchanted Dawn (USA). She is a sister to the late Intelligence Cross (USA) and Sweet Orange (USA).
Super Dawn as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Intelligence Cross scored the G3 Round Tower S. and Sweet Orange, a Listed winner in Ireland and Hong Kong.
Super Dawn cost Lindsay Park Racing $200,000 from the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Two selections in Race 2 at The Valley were reduced to one after Blue Stratum (Blue Point {Ire}) was scratched, and Whitson (Cosmic Force) managed just eighth. However, there was success for Looking Ahead as 3-year-old colt Heads You Lose (Justify {USA}) prevailed at Kembla Grange for the Champion Trainer.
