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.
Three runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Saturday. A So You Think (NZ) gelding looks to kick his career off in style at Benella. While Zoustar and Hellbent 2-year-olds are looking for maiden success after running very well on debut behind horses that have gone on to perform at stakes level at subsequent starts.
Moonee Valley, Race 2, 12.35pm AEDT, Listed Xtreme Freight Valley Pearl, $175,000, 1200m
Growing Empire, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Miles Of Krishan {Snitzel})
Racing greenly when a close debut second to subsequent G3 Magic Night S. placegetter Chateau Miraval (Zousain) in mid-February, this Ciaron Maher trained colt has had two trials (Warwick Farm and Hawkesbury) since then - and has won both of them.
Drawn barrier 1 with Ethan Brown aboard, Growing Empire is being kept safe in a race with a number of nice form lines amongst the better 2-year-olds.
Bred by P Hodgens, Werrett Bloodstock and Encompass International, Growing Empire was sold by Vinery Stud to Yulong for $700,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Growing Empire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
By Widden Stud's in-form stallion Zoustar, he is a half-brother to the Group 3 placed Flemington and Caulfield winner Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) out of the multiple city winner Miles Of Krishan (Snitzel) whose half-sister Il Quello Veloce (NZ) (Captain Rio {GB}) earned the title of NZ Champion 2YO.
This is also the family of the recent G3 Black Opal S. winner Holmes A Court (Capitalist) who takes his place in Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper S.
Morphettville, Race 2, 1.17pm AEDT (12.47pm local) Stonehaven Wines Handicap, $65,000, 1050m
Grinzinger Love, 2-year-old filly (Hellbent x Show Affection {Show A Heart})
It's a great form line for this Danny O'Brien trained filly who at her first start boxed on gamely in a Flemington 1000 metres contest - finishing third in the Listed Festival S. in which Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) and Drifting (Zousain) were first and second.
Both have won stakes races at their subsequent outings, Bold Bastille taking out the Listed Redoute's Choice S. and Drifting the G3 Magic Night S.
Grinzinger Love as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bred by Glenlogan Park and sold by them to her trainer for $230,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Grinzinger Love is by Yarraman Park's Hellbent out of the multiple city winner Show Affection (Show A Heart) who has produced three winners including the handy Hong Kong based Grateful Heart (Written Tycoon).
Show Affection is a half-sister to the G3 Byrne Hart S. winner Mitanni (Danewin), the durable galloper who won 20 races.
Liam Riordan has the ride on Grinzinger Love who jumps from barrier 11 of 16 runners.
Bet365 Benella, Race 2, 1.56pm AEDT, Blue Gum Farm Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1406m
Happy Casino, 3-year-old gelding (So You Think (NZ) x Chi (NZ) {Zabeel {NZ)}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained So You Think (NZ) gelding Happy Casino will be debuting at Benella on Saturday over 1406 metres after having a couple of trials to get himself ready for this first-up assignment.
This So You Think gelding is out of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Chi (NZ), who was unraced on the track but has already been successful at stud leaving the Listed Tasmanian Oaks winner in Chequerboard (Fastnet Rock).
Happy Casino as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This family is littered with top-level performers including the Group 2 winners What Can I Say (Khozaam {USA}), Only Words (End Sweep {USA}), Chat (Deep Field) and Holy Snow (Fastnet Rock).
Happy Casino was a $180,000 purchase by Lindsay Park Racing from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking back
Our selections for Thursday: Manuscript (Written By) ran second, Just Immortal (Justify {USA}) was sixth at Scone and Golden (NZ) (Eminent {Ire}) was seventh.
