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’s action features three Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale alumni, highlighted by a $500,000 filly by Written Tycoon, who is set to make her debut at Canterbury Park.
Stawell, Race 1, 2pm AEDT, Halls Gap Hotel Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1110m
Puzzle Miss, 3-year-old filly (Rubick x Miss Milanese {Snitzel})
Trainer Mathew Ellerton will present his 3-year-old filly Puzzle Miss at the races for the first time on Friday, when he makes the trip to Stawell for her to compete in the opening race of the program.
By Rubick, who has a good record with 3-year-old performers courtesy of horses such as Jacquinot and Rubisaki, Puzzle Miss is out of a winning Snitzel mare, Miss Milanese. She has produced four foals to race for three winners, most notably 2-year-old winner Spirit Of Milan (Spirit Of Boom).
Puzzle Miss as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
There is plenty of quality in the family, Puzzle Miss’ grandam is the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}), who has since gone on to build herself an excellent record in the barn. Chief among her progeny is Oakleigh Girl (Snitzel), a winner of the G3 Ottawa S. and the Listed Calaway Girl S. as a 2-year-old, with Miss Milanese being her full sister.
Offered by Daandine Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Puzzle Miss sold to Ellerton Racing for $110,000. She has been given some jump-out experience at her home track of Flemington, with a recent third the best result.
Canterbury, Race 1, 6pm AEDT, Bivouac First Yearlings H., $60,000, 1100m
Mrs Maree, 2-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Exceeds {Snitzel})
Master 2-year-old trainer, and recent Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Clarry Conners will debut a promising filly at Canterbury Park on Friday, when Mrs Maree competes in the first race.
Named by leviathan owner John Singleton in honour of Conners’ wife Maree, she is by Champion Sire Written Tycoon, out of 2-year-old winner Exceeds. While she is yet to have a winner as a producer, her family is deep, including the G1 Epsom H. winner Rock Kingdom (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Mrs Maree as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Group 1-winning jockey Tyler Schiller has partnered the filly in both of her most recent trials, which included an impressive 3.3l win in an 845-metre at Wyong, and he will retain the ride for her racetrack debut.
Mrs Maree made her way through the ring at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, commanding $500,000 out of the draft of Twin Hills Stud.
Canterbury, Race 2, 6.30pm AEDT, Kia Ora Prague H., $60,000, 1100m
Speed Personified, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x Chelsea Hotel {Dylan Thomas {Ire}})
Canterbury Park will mark the racetrack debut of Speed Personified on Friday, when she steps out in the second race of the program for leading trainer Chris Waller.
Given three barrier trials to prepare for her debut, Speed Personified has shown some ability, with her best showing a 1.5l win over 900 metres at Rosehill on December 18. Her most recent hitout, a second-placed finish on December 29, was in the company of Nash Rawiller, who will take the reins on Friday.
Speed Personified as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is by emerging sire Capitalist, who has already enjoyed Group-level success with the likes of Captivant and Marine One, out of six-time winning mare Chelsea Hotel. The daughter of Dylan Thomas (Ire) has produced four winners from as many runners, including stakes placed Hoover Lucy (No Nay Never {USA}).
Torryburn Stud offered the filly at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock prepared to part with $300,000 in order to secure her.
Looking Back
On Thursday, If I Was You (Hellbent) was withdrawn from the opening race at Yarra Valley, as was Mad Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) from his assignment at Muswellbrook. The sole horse to compete, Boy (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}), placed second in his race at Otaki.
