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.
On Thursday, we start at Hawkesbury with a Russian Revolution colt. Then, at Ballarat, a Spirit Of Boom juvenile with a quality page debuts, before a filly from a Group 2 winner steps out for the first time.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, HRC Motel Super Mdn Plate, $60,000, 1000m
Mateo, 3-year-old colt (Russian Revolution x Cappella Magna {Stratum})
China Horse Club Racing bred this colt and he was consigned by Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. He was purchased by Snowden Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) for $280,000.
Mateo is from a four-time winner who is a three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Megadeal (Redoute’s Choice), and a half-sister to the eight-time winner and Listed victor Immortality (Lion Hunter).
Mateo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The colt is also closely related to the Listed scorers Pressing (Sebring) and Absolute Flirt (Stratum).
Mateo has trialled on four occasions, notching a win and two seconds.
He will debut in the hands of Tyler Schiller.
Ballarat, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, AJM Contracting 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Lovey, 2-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Te Amo {Not A Single Doubt})
Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds bred this filly, who was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She was bought for $230,000, having been offered by Eureka Stud.
Lovey as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lovey is out of a two-time winner, while her grandam, Je T’Aime (Bianconi {USA}), raced once and she herself is a half-sister to the Group 1 heroine Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) - the dam of the Group 1 winner Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and the Listed scorer De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago). Je T’Aime is also a half-sister to the stakes performer Heartsareforlove (Hussonet {USA}) and the two-time winner Cardiac (Encosta De Lago) - the dam of the Group 3 victor Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Lovey, who finished second in a Benalla trial on November 13, will debut under Daniel Stackhouse.
Ballarat, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Brandt 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Sistine Tunnel, 3-year-old filly (Deep Field x Sistine Angel {Testa Rossa})
This filly was offered by her breeder - Kia Ora Stud - at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where Andrew Noblet Racing signed for her for $200,000.
Sistine Tunnel is from a former talented filly/mare - a winner of the G2 Edward Manifold S. and the G3 McNeil S., and placegetter in the G1 Robert Sangster S. Sistine Angel is a half-sister to the G3 Victoria H. victor Sistine Demon (Excites) and Themoonlitegambler (Good Journey {USA}) - a three-time winner and placegetter at both Group 3 and Listed level.
Sistine Tunnel | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other stakes winners on the filly’s page include Land Speed Record and Gallopini (Canny Lad).
The Noblet-trained Sistine Tunnel will be ridden by John Allen.
Looking Back
On Wednesday, Red Mile (Justify {USA}) was fourth on debut in Race 1 at Sandown Lakeside. At Doomben, 2-year-old filly Pulpit became Microphone’s first winner when she took out Race 1. And, Duke Of Lancaster (Pierro) was second in Race 4 at Warwick Farm.
