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.
Randwick-Kensington hosts some intriguing contests on Wednesday. Early on the card there is a stacked-looking maiden full of well-credentialled types, while Ciaron Maher takes the wraps off a newcomer with a big international pedigree later in the day.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 2, 2.55pm AEDT, Prague Yearlings Selling Now Mdn Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Duvana, 2-year-old colt (Dundeel {NZ} x Stay With Me {Street Cry {Ire}})
A whole host of pricey yearling purchases are set to debut in the second race at Randwick-Kensington, and none catches the eye on paper more than Duvana.
The 2-year-old son of Dundeel (NZ) is the fourth foal out of Stay With Me, who not only won the G1 Thousand Guineas but is a daughter of the Champion 2- and 3-Year-Old Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice).
This makes Duvana a half-brother to the Listed-winning and Group 2-placed I Am Invincible filly Waltz On By and Always On My Mind, a daughter of Deep Impact (Jpn) who made a winning debut.
Duvana as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This breeding, coupled with a classy physique and an athletic walk, prompted Kia Ora Stud and TFI to go to $800,000 for the colt when he was presented by Arrowfield at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Duvana will be saddled by Chris Waller and ridden by Craig Williams.
That colt isn’t the stable’s only representative in the race, nor is he the most expensive yearling in the lineup. That honour goes to President, who races for a partnership that includes Newgate Bloodstock, the China Horse Club and Go Bloodstock. The trio combined at $950,000 to secure the youngster when he came under the hammer at Easter, where he was presented by Kitchwin Hills.
The son of I Am Invincible is a full brother to the winning and Listed-placed California Surreal. The pair are out of the Group 3-winning Fastnet Rock mare Serene Majesty. He will be ridden on Wednesday by Tommy Berry.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 4, 4.05pm AEDT, Precise Air Mdn H., $100,000, 1400m
Kotaishi, 3-year-old gelding (Snitzel x Bulbinella {Jpn} {Victoire Pisa {Jpn}})
Ciaron Maher unleashes the well-related 3-year-old Kotaishi, who will be ridden by Dylan Gibbons. The debutant is by the four-time Champion Sire Snitzel and out of Bulbinella (Jpn), a winner over a mile in Japan by Victoire Pisa (Jpn).
The dam is from a pedigree boasting strong international form as she is a half-sister to Shonan Pandora (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was crowned champion older female in Japan in 2015 after winning the G1 Japan Cup.
Kotaishi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The siblings are out of Cutie Gold (Jpn) (French Deputy {USA}), a half-sister to Stay Gold (Jpn), winner of the G1 Hong Kong Vase and the G2 Dubai Sheema Classic. Stay Gold went on to sire champions in Gold Ship (Jpn) and Orfevre (Jpn), both of whom stand at stud in Japan.
This background prompted Maher and Harbour Equine to part with $300,000 when Kotaishi was offered by Arrowfield at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The pedigree has improved subsequently as Bulbinella opened her account at paddocks when the Maher-trained Daiya (Duramente {Jpn}) struck at Pakenham.
Looking Back
Our selections on Monday didn't fare too well, Diddle Dumpling (Deep Field) finished fourth at Hawkesbury, while Melisseus (Fastnet Rock) was unplaced at Kyneton.
