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.
Tuesday provides three runners at Bendigo, aptly nicknamed 'the nursery of champions', including an expensive purchase by Trapeze Artist in the opening race of the program.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEDT, Club Barham Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m
Trapeze Warrior, 3-year-old colt (Trapeze Artist x Cocoa Doll {More Than Ready {USA}})
Stepping out in the opening race at Bendigo on Tuesday is expensive Trapeze Artist colt Trapeze Warrior, who makes his debut for Phillip Stokes.
By the aforementioned Trapeze Artist, this colt is part of his sire’s first crop, one that includes G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Griff. Out of a handy More Than Ready (USA) mare Cocoa Doll, his pedigree indicates he should be effective over shorter trips, his dam having won three races up to 1200 metres.
Trapeze Warrior as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Cocoa Doll is a half-sister to sensational sprinter Away Game (Snitzel), who consistently performed at the highest level when racing, including winning the G2 Percy Sykes S. and R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, success that would afford her the title of Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in 2019/20.
Purchased for $850,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Phillip Stokes Racing, the colt has been given time to make it to the races. He was victorious in his most recent jump-out, a 1000-metre heat on the synthetic track at Pakenham.
Bendigo, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, KFC Bendigo Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1000m
Ezeiza, 3-year-old filly (Rubick x Dirty {Hussonet {USA}})
Mornington-based trainer Cliff Brown makes the long drive to Bendigo on Tuesday to debut Rubick filly Ezeiza, who has the services of Damian Lane to partner her for a first look at a competitive race.
Bred and now raced by Greg Perry’s Greenwich Stud, the filly is out of Listed Vo Rogue Plate winner Dirty (Hussonet {USA}), who proved herself to be a reliable sprinting type in Queensland. Her production career has been strong, with six foals to make it to the track all winning, including Listed Ipswich Cup winner Happy Go Plucky (Pluck {USA}).
Rubick | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Sired by Rubick, who has proven himself to be a quality stallion in the opening phase of his stud career, Ezeiza would be winner number 247 for her stallion if she can greet the judge first on Tuesday.
Her work leading into her debut has given every indication she can run a bold race, winning two jumpouts in preparation.
Bendigo, Race 4, 2.30pm AEDT, Dearungo & Lea Electrical Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Justaboom, 3-year-old filly (Justify {USA} x Kononkop {Arg} {Pure Prize {USA}})
Making her debut on Tuesday at Bendigo is the superbly-bred Justaboom, who provides a pedigree rich in elite-level performances from across the Americas.
By the sparkling chestnut Justify (USA), who is enjoying an extraordinary run across both hemispheres so early into his stallion career, Justaboom is out of Kononkop (Arg), who won the G1 G.P de Portancas and the G1 G.P Estrellas Juvenile Fillies in Argentina. Also given the title of Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in 2016/17, she is a half-sister to Koller (Arg), a winner of the G2 Clasico America who has now sired four stakes winners in his own right.
Justaboom as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Trained by the Cranbourne-based duo of Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, who are striking at 16 per cent from their last 50 runners, this filly improved sharply from her first jump-out on November 13 into her second on November 20.
Connections parted with $150,000 to secure her from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, out of the draft of Coolmore Stud.
Looking Back
Sunday provided a good result for Looking Ahead, with Monte Supreme (I Am Invincible) getting the job done at Hawkesbury. The only other runner, Ichika (Maurice {Jpn}) was withdrawn from her race at the same venue.
