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 early in its career chasing maiden success, 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 exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Wednesday, including Brutal (NZ) and Exceed And Excel 2-year-olds taking on each other at Gosford and a well-bred Grunt (NZ) gelding chasing maiden success at Sandown
Gosford, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Eve Electrical 2YO H., $60,000, 1100m
The Eyes Have It, 2-year-old filly (Brutal {NZ} x Katies Eyes {USA} {Leroidesanimaux {BRZ}})
It's a great form line for this Nathan Doyle trained filly who at her first start was runner-up and only beat narrowly in a Scone 900 metres contest. At her second start she ran a very solid fifth in the G3 Widden S., finishing behind Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and Manaal (Tassort) - these fillies have since went on to win the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 Inglis Sires’ since. Being beaten just over five lengths, it looks strong enough form to be competitive in a Gosford maiden.
The Eyes Have It | Image courtesy of Inglis
Darby Bloodstock were the purchasers for $50,000 at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm. The Eyes Have It is by Brutal (NZ) out of the dual Listed American winner Katies Eyes (USA) (Leroidesanimaux {BRZ}) who has produced two winners including Don’t Doubt Katie (Extreme Choice) and Bern Cat (USA) (Bernardini {USA})
Since producing The Eyes Have It, Katies Eyes has produced a Wild Ruler weanling colt and was most recently served in the spring by the Cox Plate victor in State Of Rest (Ire).
Gosford, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Eve Electrical 2YO H., $60,000, 1100m
Obscure, 2-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Philosophy {Street Cry} {USA})
The well-related Obscure (Exceed And Excel) is set to debut for Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings on the back of a promising trial win at Warwick Farm on March 26 over 794 metres.
Obscure is a daughter of Darley’s recently retired super sire Exceed And Excel and is the third foal from the Street Cry (USA) mare Philosophy. She had six wins on the track including four metropolitan wins prior to forging her broodmare career.
Exceed And Excel | Image courtesy of Darley
Obscure has a tidy pedigree that has Woodlands and Darley Stud written all over it, combining the blood of Exceed and Excel, Street Cry, Lonhro, Octagonal and Canny Lad.
Her grandam Renaissance (Lonhro) was a very smart sprinter and was successful six times including the G2 Sapphire S., and her great-grandam Seances (Canny Lad) won the Listed Millie Fox S., before leaving three stakes-winners including the aforementioned Renaissance as well as Haunted (Lonhro) and Sessions (Lonhro).
Philosophy since producing Obscure has a Exceed And Excel yearling full-sister and was most recently served by Exceed And Excel’s superstar sprinting son in Bivouac last spring.
Sportsbet Sandown Lakeside, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Ive - Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1200m
Etincelle, 3-year-old gelding (Grunt (NZ) x Marquise Da Rossa {Testa Rossa})
The well-bred Etincelle (Grunt {NZ}), is set to have his second start over 1200 metres for Flemington trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman at Sandown on Wednesday. On debut he ran a tidy enough fourth when he was well supported as the market elect.
Etincelle is by Yulong Stud’s promising stallion in Grunt (NZ), who during the carnival had his first Group 1 winner in Veight where he got a well deserved victory against his elders in the G1 George Ryder S.
Etincelle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
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.
He has since been exported to Hong Kong and recently competed in the Hong Kong Derby.
Marquise Da Rossa since producing Etincelle has left a 2-year-old filly by Castelvecchio named Bootee, and yearling and weanling 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.
Looking Back
Unfortunately the recent wet weather that has hit Sydney has done some damage to the tracks. Both Media World (Written Tycoon) and Glebe (NZ) (Savabeel) have scratched and won't run on the heavy track.
