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.
Two exciting runners are set to hit the track at Geelong on Tuesday, including a Grunt (NZ) gelding chasing maiden success on debut, and a Fine Needle (Jpn) gelding looking to win his maiden at his second start.
Bet365-Geelong, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Bet365 Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1130m
Etincelle, 3-year-old gelding (Grunt (NZ) x Marquise Da Rossa {Testa Rossa})
The well-bred Etincelle, is set to make his debut over 1130 metres for Flemington trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman at Geelong on Tuesday.
Etincelle is by Yulong Stud’s promising stallion in Grunt (NZ), who had his first Group 1 winner in Veight over the weekend where he got a well deserved victory against his elders in the G1 George Ryder S.
Etincelle is the third foal from Marquise Da Rossa (Testa Rossa). She was a winner over 1100 metres on the track but has already made a mark as a broodmare leaving the talented Dundeel (NZ) gelding in Eliptical, he was the victor in the G3 CS Hayes S., and was placed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Spring Champion S.
Etincelle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He has since been exported to Hong Kong and overnight was unplaced in the Hong Kong Derby.
Marquise Da Rossa since producing Etincelle has left a 2-year-old filly by Castelvechhio named Bootee, and yearling and foal filly’s by Coolmore Stud’s So You Think (NZ) and was most recently served by the promising young-sire in Alabama Express last spring.
Bet365-Geelong, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Rodericks Insurance Brokers Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1530m
Fine Future (Jpn), 3-year-old gelding (Fine Needle {Jpn} x Mirai E {Jpn} {Deep Impact {Jpn}})
The well-bred Fine Future (Jpn) is set to have his second start over 1530 metres for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at Geelong on the back of a very promising debut performance at Terang over 1200 metres.
Fine Future as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Fine Future is a son of Darley Japan’s sire Fine Needle (Jpn) and is out of Mirai E (Jpn). She was unplaced on the track but is very well-related. She is a sister to the Woodside Park Stallion and dual Group 1 winner Tosen Stardom (Jpn) and the Group winner Centelleo (Jpn), a three-quarter-sister to Tosen Homareboshi (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and a half-sister to stakes-placed Neo Stardom (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn})
Fine Future was a $300,000 purchase by Busuttin Racing from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Our Sunday selections all ran well without winning. At Ballarat Lady Gimlet (Starcraft {NZ}) struggled to get into the race from a wide draw but battled on late for fourth and Disco Prince (Justify {Jpn}) was very wide throughout but finished stoutly to just miss by a head. While at Bairnsdale Telescope (Zoustar) led throughout, gave a good kick, but was run down late and finished a sound second.
