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.
After a thrilling Melbourne Cup meeting on Tuesday, the action will head to Kyneton on Wednesday. The venue will play host to three well-related first-starters.
Kyneton, Race 3, 1.40pm AEDT, Macedon Ranges Glass Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1454m
Cordozar, 3-year-old gelding (No Nay Never {USA} x La Cicciolina {Bernardini {USA}})
Liam Howley will debut Cordozar, a son of No Nay Never (USA), at Kyneton on Wednesday.
The gelding is the fourth foal from the Bernardini (USA) mare La Cicciolina. She won twice including the VOBIS Gold Betfair 2YO Classic. La Cicciolina is a half-sister to the Mossman-sired pair of Crack Me Up and Hoofit.
Cordozar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Crack Me Up won the G2 Villiers S. and the G3 Liverpool City Club, while Hoofit claimed the G3 Phoenix S.
Cordozar was a $160,000 pinhook by Riverrock Farm and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Morning Rise Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Riverrock Farm re-sold Cordozar at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale to Liam Howley Racing for $520,000.
Kyneton, Race 3, 1.40pm AEDT, Macedon Ranges Glass Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1454m
Futatsu, 3-year-old filly (Shalaa {Ire} x Love Is Fickle {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-related Futatsu (Shalaa {Ire}) from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is set to debut at Kyneton on Wednesday.
The filly is a half-sister to the exceptional Hitotsu. The son of Maurice (Jpn), like his sister, was trained by Maher and Eustace and won four races, including the G1 VRC Derby, the G1 Australian Derby and the G1 Australian Guineas.
Futatsu as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, Futatsu’s second dam is She’s A Meanie (NZ) (Prince Salieri), a victress of the G1 Avondale Gold Cup and the dam of the G2 The Shorts winner Love Conquers All.
The filly was a $250,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the draft of Kulani Park at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Kyneton, Race 2, 1.05pm AEDT, Cams Security Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1103m
The Last Empire, 4-year-old gelding (Pierro x Royal Amati {Danehill Dancer {Ire}})
Locally based trainer Katrina McAdam will debut The Last Empire, a son of Coolmore Stud’s Pierro.
The Last Empire is the first live foal from Royal Amati (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). She won four races from 1600 to 2050 metres.
Royal Amati hails from a hugely successful black-type family that includes the brilliant Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The 2016 European Horse of the Year won nine races, including the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and the G1 Nassau S.
The Last Empire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
At stud, Minding has produced the talented G1 National S. winner Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Furthermore, the Group 1 winners Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) are from the family of The Last Empire.
The Last Empire was a $150,000 purchase by Newgate Bloodstock from the draft of Milburn Creek at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Newgate reoffered The Last Empire on the 2022 Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale, where Katrina McAdam paid $1500.
Looking Back
There was not much joy for Tuesday's selections. Catoggio (Written Tycoon) was unplaced at Flemington. While the Kembla Grange runner Ichika (Maurice {Jpn}) and Ascot starter Transcribe (Pierro) were unplaced.
