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 sees two high-priced purchases step out at Randwick-Kensington and Moonee Valley, while at Mornington a well-related son of Charge Forward makes his racetrack debut.
Mornington, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, Gam Steel Mdn Plate, $27,500, 1200m
Ranakye, 3-year-old colt (Charge Forward x Grand Journey (Good Journey {USA}})
The third event at Mornington on Friday presents local training partnership David Brideoake and Matt Jenkins an opportunity to step out their promising colt, Ranakye for the first time under race conditions.
Given plenty of time to learn his craft, with four jump-outs over the last five months, the colt has shown some ability, finishing second in all of his public appearances so far. By reliable stallion Charge Forward, who produced G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Headway, he’s got a rich staying pedigree, being out of G1 WATC Derby victress Grand Journey (Good Journey {USA}).
Charge Forward | Standing at Murrulla Stud
Not only did Grand Journey win the WATC Derby, she also claimed the G3 WA Oaks and Listed Natasha S., providing her a treble of staying victories at stakes level for her 3-year-old campaign. She’s also been a capable producer as well, with two winners to her name, including Unique Journey (Al Maher), who won over 1300 metres. Herself a half-sister to Listed VRC Fashion S. winner Proliferate (More Than Ready {USA}), there is a solid mix throughout the page of speed and stamina.
This colt is a homebred for co-trainer David Brideoake, and has not previously been offered for public sale.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 3.20pm AEDT, Celebration of Chris Caserta Mdn H., $60,000, 1300m
Sunbeam Legend, 3-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Windradyne {GB} {Sepoy})
Stepping out in the opening race of the twilight meeting at Randwick-Kensington on Friday is expensive filly Sunbeam Legend, who will look to carry the famous red and white colours of Legend Racing to victory.
Purchased for $425,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale out of the draft of Newgate Farm, the filly will be the first to race for her dam, Windradyne (GB). She’s a half-sister to champion sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Killachy {GB}), who won 12 races, including the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot twice, as well as Group-level success in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.
Sunbeam Legend as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
It’s been a strong second season for The Autumn Sun to this point, consistently producing winners in the pre-Christmas stanza. Like him. Sunbeam Legend is from the first crop of her sire, which also contains stakes-performed runners Autumn Angel and Autumn Ballet.
Kerrin McEvoy, a rider often called upon by Bon Ho and his Legend Racing operation, will take the reins on Friday for trainer Chris Waller.
Moonee Valley, Race 1, 6.15pm AEDT, Christmas at The Valley Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Steel King (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Deep Field x Syrahbeel {NZ} {Savabeel})
The training partnership of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman will introduce the racing world to well-bred gelding Steel King (NZ) (Deep Field) under the Friday night lights at Moonee Valley.
By the recently pensioned Deep Field, this gelding is out of Savabeel mare Syrahbeel (NZ), a three-time winner over sprinting trips during her racing career. She’s already had success with her progeny in shorter distance ranges as well, Utah Nash (Spirit Of Boom) victorious over 1200 metres in Queensland.
Steel King (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The family is a rich one, Syrahbeel is a half-sister to two separate Group 1 winners, A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins), who took out the G1 WRC Thorndon Mile, and Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), who was victorious in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
Purchased for NZ$475,000 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, he has strung together three successive jump-out wins in preparation for Friday’s debut.
Looking Back
There was success to be had on Thursday, with Frawley (Written Tycoon) securing an emotional victory at Geelong. Zaszou (Zoustar) ran third at the same course, while Wind Rush (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) did not take his place at Otaki.
