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.
All eyes will be on Pakenham as three well-related first-starters step out. Among them is an Irish-bred son of the Champion Sire and Racehorse Frankel (GB).
Pakenham, Race 6, 8.15pm AEDT, Sportsbet Future Stars Series Heat 3, $75,000, 1400m
Give Her A Medal, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Royal Raine {NZ} {Thorn Park})
Give Her A Medal is a daughter of Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award, who recently sired his sixth Group 1 winner when Quintessa (NZ) claimed the G1 Levin Classic.
The filly is trained out of Danny O’Brien’s Flemington stables. Give Her A Medal is the fourth foal from the Thorn Park mare Royal Raine (NZ). She won over 1200 metres and has produced the Listed Twilight Glow S. victress Decent Raine (Dissident).
Give Her A Medal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Decent Raine also recorded placings in the G3 Northwood Plume S. and the G2 Scarborough S.
Give Her A Medal was a $440,000 purchase by O’Brien Thoroughbreds from the draft of Tyreel Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Work Armour Solutions Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1600m
Irish Storm (Ire), 4-year-old gelding (Frankel {GB} x Sea Of Grace {Ire} {Born To Sea {Ire}})
Victorian-based trainer Danny O’Brien has had success with overseas purchases. His star colt, Russian Camelot (Ire), won twice at the elite level before retiring to Widden Victoria. On Thursday, O’Brien will debut a 4-year-old gelding by the Champion Sire and galloper Frankel (GB), Irish Storm (Ire) at Pakenham.
Frankel (GB) | Standing at Banstead Manor Stud
Irish Storm is from the Born To Sea (Ire) mare Sea Of Grace (Ire). She won three races, including the G3 Flame of Tara S. at the Curragh, and was placed in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
Sea Of Grace is related to the G1 British Champions Sprint winner Donjuan Triumphant (Ire). Irish Storm was a 160,000gns (AU$306,000) by Jeremy Brummitt and Danny O’Brien at the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Pakenham, Race 6, 8.15pm AEDT, Sportsbet Future Stars Series, $75,000, 1400m
Triumphant Pass (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Almanzor {Fr} x Trickle {NZ} {Storm Creek {USA}})
A well-related colt by Cambrigde Stud’s shuttler Almanzor (Fr), Triumphant Pass (NZ) will debut for Pakenham-based horseman John Sadler at his home track.
Triumphant Pass is from the Storm Creek (USA) mare Trickle (NZ). She has produced the seven-time winner Sacred Master (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a victor of the G2 Avondale Cup and the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup. The talented stayer was also placed in the G1 Auckland Cup and finished fourth in the G1 Metropolitan H.
Triumphant Pass (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other siblings include Kia Ora Jewel (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) who was placed in the Listed Ascot One Thousand Guineas, while Tears Of An Angel (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven {NZ}) ran second in the Listed Dunedin Guineas.
Triumphant Pass was a $300,000 purchase by John Sadler Racing from the draft of Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
There wasn't much luck for Wednesday's selections. Due Calzini (D'Argento) was placed at Doomben on debut. While in New South Wales at Randwick-Kensington, our best result was Call Me Gorgeous (Deep Field), who placed. However, Apres Ski (Exceed And Excel) was unplaced at the venue.
