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 are set to race on the Ballarat Synthetic and Swan Hill on Friday, including a Trapeze Artist gelding on debut and a sharply-bred I Am Immortal filly that is having start number two at Swan Hill.
Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Brandt 3YO Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Somax, 3-year-old gelding (Trapeze Artist x Quality Coup (Elusive Quality {USA})
Somax, a son of Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist, who will be making his debut on the Ballarat Synthetic track for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr on Friday. This comes on the back of a third at the Cranbourne Synthetic jump-outs on July 15.
Somax is the seventh foal from the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Quality Coup, who was a winner over 1400 metres on the track. She has had some good success already as a broodmare leaving three winners including Music Addition (Your Song) who saluted the judge nine times and was Listed placed, Zou Lover (Zoustar) and Takeover Artist (Trapeze Artist).
Somax as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Somax’s grandam Love To Dance (NZ) (Citidancer {Ire}) was a very talented juvenile winning the Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., and the G3 Wakefield Challenge S., and running placings in the G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S., and the G3 Thoroughbred Club S.
Somax was a $100,000 purchase by Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Quality Coup, since producing Somax, has left a weanling colt by Trapeze Artist and was again served by Trapeze Artist last spring.
Swan Hill, Race 2, 12.40pm AEST, Jarrod Arentz Electrical & Solar Solutions Mdn Plate, $27,000, 975m
Ferrytail, 3-year-old filly (I Am Immortal x Rain Cloud (Domesday)
The Warrnambool based-trainer Lindsey Smith saddles up Ferrytail (I Am Immortal) to have her second start over 975 metres at Swan Hill on Friday. She ran a good race on debut on the Ballarat-Synthetic Track over 1000 metres on July 16 when she was running on strongly from back in the field behind Wangandary (Time For War).
I Am Immortal has made a promising start to his stud career leaving four winners from his first crop of 2-year-olds including the smart stakes-placed Immortal Star and the very progressive I Am Velvet who took her record to three wins from three starts at Caulfield last weekend and she looks a stakes quality filly of the future.
The sharply bred filly is the third foal from the Domesday mare Rain Cloud, who was unraced on the track but is well-related being a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Shared Reflections (Umatilla {NZ}) who has also gone on to leave three winners including Fiery Trail (Northern Meteor), Infinite Advantage (More Than Ready {USA}), and the prolific 13-time winner Smart Image (Smart Missile).
I Am Immortal | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Rain Cloud has made a promising start to her broodmare career leaving the smart Queen Air (Toronado {Ire}) who has won twice at 1300 metres and 2050 metres and been classy enough to place in the G1 VRC Oaks and run fourth placings in the G2 Wakeful S., and the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic.
Rain Cloud, since producing Fairytail, has left an I Am Immortal yearling colt and was most recently served by Toronado (Ire) last spring.
Looking Back
Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was tough winning his race, he dictated terms in front and was tough at the finish.
Witter (The Autumn Sun) ran a solid race for fourth on debut, with her breeding she is going to improve once she get's to a mile and beyond.
Beauty Edge (Hellbent) was scratched, he will keep for another day.
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