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.
Thursday sees two first-starters on opposite sides of the country draw some interest, as well as a Medaglia D’Oro (USA) colt looking to go one better at his second venture to the track.
Pakenham, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Gippsland Premium Quarries Mdn, $37,500, 1400m
Onlygoldwilldo, 3-year-old colt (Medaglia D’oro {USA} x K P Pergoliscious {Ire} {Declaration Of War {USA}})
Scheduled to make his second start at Pakenham on Thursday is Onlygoldwilldo, a well-related son of Medaglia D’oro.
He is the first foal to race from stakes-placed mare K P Pergoliscious (Ire), who finished second in the G1 Santa Anita American Oaks. One of the 457 winners for her sire, Declaration Of War (USA), she is also a half-sister to stakes-placed mare Emerald Ring (Ire) (Johannesburg {USA}).
Onlygoldwilldo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Onlygoldwilldo was an eye-catching effort on debut at Bendigo, settling at the rear of the field and closing well to be beaten less than 0.5l. He was a NZ$300,000 buy for Liam Howley Racing at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, having initially been purchased by his vendors, Riversley Park, for $150,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pakenham, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Saints Paris Mdn, $37,500, 1200m
Thunder Award, 3-year-old gelding (Shamus Award x Just Been Lucky {Encosta De Lago})
Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans will debut a 3-year-old on Thursday at Pakenham, with Thunder Award scheduled to run in the fourth event of the day.
By local stallion Shamus Award, this gelding is by stakes-placed mare Just Been Lucky, who won four races in her time on the track. She has already produced two winners, including a brother to Thunder Award - Justifiable Award.
Thunder Award as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Just Been Lucky is a half-sister to Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}), who won the G2 Angus Armanasco S. and the G2 Quezette S. and has produced a winning colt by Deep Field.
Thunder Award was offered by Ultra Thoroughbreds in the 2022 Inglis September (Late) Online Sale where Kennewell Racing went to $20,000 for the gelding.
Bunbury, Race 3, 5.21pm AEDT (2.21pm local), James Squire Ginger Beer Mdn, $25,000, 1111m
Lost City, 3-year-old filly (Rommel x Dual City {Ferocity})
The recently reopened Bunbury track has drawn powerhouse stable Grant and Alana Williams down the Bussell Highway with one of their promising debutantes, Lost City, who will run in the third race of the meeting on Thursday.
She is by Rommel, who has established himself as a reliable stallion in Western Australia since commencing stallion duties in 2017. His progeny have earnt over half-a-million dollars so far this season, headlined by Snowdome, who recently won the G3 Prince Of Wales S.
Lost City as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her dam, Dual City, was a winner as a 2-year-old, and hails from a family that has been able to consistently produce fast types. She is the half-sister of G3 WATC Sires’ Produce S. winner Diamond Dash (Hennessy) and Listed Matchmaker Classic winner Metro Miss (Xaar {GB}).
Dual City has a perfect strike rate of runners-to-winners so far, with City Of Sin (Safeguard) being her only foal to race to date.
Williams Racing parted with $60,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to secure this filly, who was offered by Mogumber Park.
Looking Back
Of our three runners on Wednesday, the best performance was by Everybody Rise (Snitzel), who was able to hold down third. Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) was scratched, while Power Of Three (Yes Yes Yes) claimed fifth at Bendigo.
