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.
We have runners on both sides of the Tasman on Thursday. We kick off at Otaki with a Time Test (GB) filly, who debuts for Allan Sharrock. Then, it’s off to Gosford, where a daughter of a Group 1 heroine has her first start, before finishing up at Seymour with a high-priced Fastnet Rock filly.
Otaki, Race 3, 12.12pm AEDT (2.12pm local), Riverside Construction Mdn, NZ$18,500, 1200m
Bella Timing (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Time Test {GB} x Bellaroof {NZ} {Maroof {USA}})
Allan Sharrock trains this Time Test filly at New Plymouth.
Bella Timing (NZ) is from a five-time victress who has thrown winners, including the Group 2 scorers Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Darci La Bella (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Time Test (GB) | Standing at Little Avondale Stud
The filly’s third dam is Highden Belle (NZ) (Pevero {Ire}) - a winner in Listed grade.
Gosford, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Tile & Stone Warehouse Mdn H., $42,000, 1000m
It’s A Wonder, 3-year-old filly (Dundeel {NZ} x Allez Wonder {Redoute’s Choice})
Bred by Encompass International, this filly made $350,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bought from the Vinery Stud draft by Bill and Dianne Ouston.
It’s A Wonder is out of the 2009 G1 Toorak H. victress Allez Wonder, making the filly a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Kooweerup (More Than Ready {USA}) and the stakes performer Prompt Prodigy (More Than Ready {USA}). Allez Wonder herself is a half-sister to the Group 3 scorer Pretty Pins (NZ) (Pins).
It's A Wonder as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her grandam, Luna Tudor (Military Plume {NZ}), notched 10 wins and was victorious in the G2 Perth Cup in 2000.
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly has trialled twice and was second over 900 metres at Rosehill on December 5.
Jay Ford has the ride.
Seymour, Race 4, Seymour Toyota Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Inez, 3-year-old filly (Fastnet Rock x Bring Me Roses {High Chaparral {Ire}})
Colm Santry Bloodstock paid $700,000 for this filly at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She was consigned by Coolmore Stud.
Trained by Lee and Shannon Hope, Inez is raced by Greg White’s Alpara Lodge.
Inez as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is from a former high-class filly/mare who chalked up 10 wins, including the 2017 G2 Edward Manifold S. Bring Me Roses is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Face Value (Red Ransom {USA}), as well as the Listed placegetter Face Of The Earth (Strategic) - the dam of the Group 3 victress Diamond Earth (Choisir).
Other stakes winners in the family include Don Raffael (Ire) (Bikala {Ire}) and Savute (NZ) (Danzero).
Jordan Childs will be in the saddle for the filly’s debut.
Looking Back
Two-year-old filly Husk (Calyx {GB}) ran well on debut, finishing third on the Heavy 9 surface encountered at Warwick Farm. At Flemington, Acid Wash, (American Pharoah {USA}) ran second, while Bloodhawke (I Am Invincible) was unplaced at Doomben.
