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.
The final day of the 2023 calendar year brings action from Gosford, with a gelding by The Autumn Sun and a filly by Epaulette creating intrigue for their first attempts at competing in a race.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, Central Coast Mariners Midway Mdn Plate, $45,000, 1000m
Still Alice, 3-year-old filly (Epaulette x Academy Idol {Made Of Gold {USA}})
Lee and Cherie Curtis will make the trip from their Rosehill base on Sunday to debut their Epaulette filly Still Alice in the opening race at Gosford on Sunday.
Given four barrier trials in preparation, the filly was strong through the line in her most recent hitout, winning by 0.8l under Jay Ford, who has partnered her in all her work to this date.
Still Alice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is out of Academy Idol, a winner over 1000 metres and a consistent producer, including a full sister to Still Alice, Meryl (Epaulette), who won the G3 BJ McLachlan S. and the G3 Scarborough S. Of her 10 foals to race, eight have won, across sprinting and staying trips.
Mystery Downs had to go to $300,000 to secure her in the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, out of the draft of Riversdale Farm.
Gosford, Race 2, 2.20pm AEDT, Narara Super Mdn H., $60,000, 1200m
Rustenburg, 3-year-old gelding (The Autumn Sun x Mooinooi {Lonhro})
Second-season sire The Autumn Sun will have another of his initial crop debut on Sunday, when Rustenburg steps out in the second race on the program at Gosford.
In the care of leading trainer John O’Shea, he has been given plenty of time to find his feet, participating in six barrier trials, winning his most recent heat under Tyler Schiller over 1050 metres. Top apprentice Zac Lloyd, who no longer enjoys the luxury of a claim, will take over riding duties for his first start.
The Autumn Sun | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Out of Lonhro mare Mooinooi, Rustenburg is very well-related, with his dam being a half-sister to the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing (Beautiful Crown) as well as being a relation to star sprinter Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai).
He was bred by Glentree Racing in Victoria, with the operation electing to retain and race him in their famous aqua colours.
Looking Back
On Friday, King Of Roseau (Capitalist) lived up to the hype around him, scoring nicely at Canberra, while My Spirit (Spirit Of Boom) was unable to trouble the judge at Ipswich. At Cranbourne, Northwest Lady (So You Think {NZ}) was the final runner home in the opening event.
