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.
Two exciting runners by two of the best stallions in Australia are set to hit the track on Wednesday, including a promising Snitzel colt that looks ready for a debut win at Bendigo and an I Am Invincible makes his debut at Warwick Farm.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.25pm, AEST, Dunlop Pitson & Jenkins Civil 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Markdel, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Princess Noir {Jpn} {Neo Universe {Jpn})
The well-bred Markdel is set to have his third start over 1100 metres for Flemington trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman at Bendigo. His formlines look strong for a maiden race, he ran third on debut at Geelong behind the promising Stay Focused (Cosmic Force) and ran on strongly from back in the field at Sandown at his second start, placing fourth behind Blue Renegade (Blue Point {Ire})
Markdel is a son of Arrowfield Stud’s star stallion Snitzel and is out of the Neo Universe (Jpn) mare Princess Noir. She was placed on the track before commencing her broodmare career in both Japan and Australia.
Markdel | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Markdel comes from a strong female family, Princess Noir is a half-sister to Tricolore Bleu (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) who was a six-time winner including the Listed Hanshin Osaka Jo S. Other siblings Danon Gelato (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and World Impact (Deep Impact) were both stakes-placed on the track.
Adding to this, her dam is Penkenna Princess (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) she was a very talented filly winning the G3 Fred Darling S., and the Listed Oh So Sharp S., She also was classy enough to place in the G1 Irish One Thousand Guineas. As well as producing the three stakes performers mentioned previously, she has left Vasilissa (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) who became famous for producing Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) who was victorious in the G1 Blue Diamond S., before retiring to Yulong Stud in Victoria.
Princess Noir, since producing Markdel, has left a yearling colt by The Autumn Sun and was most recently served by him again last spring.
Markdel cost Anthony Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) $320,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 12.50pm, AEST, Hyland Race Colours H., $100,000, 1100m
True Amor, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x My True Love {Fastnet Rock)
True Amor, a son of Australia's Champion Sire I Am Invincible, will make his debut at Warwick Farm for John O’Shea on Wednesday. This comes on the back of a very impressive trial win at Rosehill track on May 2 over 900 metres.
True Amor is the second foal from the Fastnet Rock mare My True Love, who was a three-time winner and also placed in the G2 Dane Ripper S., and the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas. She has so far produced Miss Amore (Pierro) who has been a winner over 1200 metres to kick-start her breeding career.
Further back in the pedigree page are the Group-performers Lectrice (Encosta De Lago), Leica Guv (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}), Light Fantastic (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Whatalovelyday (Domesday) who is the dam of the recent Group 1 victor Benedetta (Hellbent) who was successful in the G1 Goodwood S.
True Amor as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
True Amor was a $550,000 purchase by Kitchwin Hills from the draft of Lustre Lodge at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
My True Love, since producing True Amor, has left a yearling filly by Capitalist and a weanling colt by Written Tycoon.
Looking Back
Pope Cody (Showtime) made good ground late to run fifth at Warwick and Stairway (So You Think {NZ}) also ran fifth, he battled away solidly on the Ballarat Synthetic track and should improve from his debut run.
