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.
At Seymour, Noire Emperor makes his debut for the Price/Kent stable, and he’s by Champion Sire Written Tycoon and is the first foal of Group 2 winner Noire. In Tamworth, Mighty Zou (Zoustar) looks to improve on his debut fourth placing.
Seymour, Race 4, 2pm AEST, Never Ordinary Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1600m
Noire Emperor, 3-year-old gelding (Written Tycoon x Noire {Foxwedge})
On debut for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, Noire Emperor (Written Tycoon) was sold by Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $260,000 and was purchased by Japan’s Katsumi Yoshida. Drawn three, he will be ridden by Thomas Stockdale in the mile maiden race.
Written Tycoon had an incredible season in 2023/24 with three Group 1 winners led by G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and G1 Sistena S. winner Velocious. His 62 individual stakes winners include two Golden Slipper victors in Capitalist and Lady Of Camelot, Blue Diamond winner Written By, and a further 12 Group 1 winners including Velocious, Southport Tycoon, Coolangatta, Ole Kirk, Pippie, Tycoon Tara, Music Magnate (NZ), Despatch, Tyzone, Booker, Odeum and La Luna Rossa (NZ).
Noire Emperor as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Noire Emperor is the first foal of G2 Shannon S. winner Noire (Foxwedge) who won seven races up to 1500 metres and placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic. Noire is a half-sister to three stakes-placed winners being Maraatib (Redoute’s Choice), Valoura (Exceed And Excel), and Group 2-placed juvenile winner Global Dream (Fastnet Rock) who is the dam of Group 3 winner Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}).
Noire’s dam is a juvenile-winning daughter of dual Listed winner Valourina (Snippets), dam of G2 Wakefield S. winner Timbourina (Timber Country {USA}), G2 Magic Night S. winner Media (Gilded Time {USA}) and Listed winner Cardinal Virtue (Elusive Quality {USA}), and all three were Group 1-placed on several occasions.
Tamworth, Race 3, 2:10pm AEST, Tim Bell Country Boosted Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1400m
Mighty Zou, 4-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Madotti {Falvelon})
Fourth on debut a week ago for trainer Rodney Northam, Mighty Zou (Zoustar) has needed patience from his owners. He first trialled as an early 3-year-old in August 2023, then wasn’t seen again until recently. Mighty Zou will be ridden from barrier six by apprentice Chelsea Hillier. Sold by Glenlogan Park at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $300,000, Mighty Zou was purchased by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA).
Zoustar is hot property in the commercial market with 57 stakes winners including Group 1 winners Climbing Star, Joliestar, Lezoo (GB), Mizzy, Ozzmosis, Sunlight, Zougotcha and Zoutori. With 19 individual $1 million plus yearlings, the G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner has also sired 42 stakes-performing juveniles.
Mighty Zou as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Mighty Zou is the second foal of Madotti (Falvelon), whose first foal, Snappy Tycoon (Written Tycoon) has won twice to date. Madotti was a super racemare winning over $1 million in her four wins which included the G3 Vo Rogue Plate and she also ran fourth in Le Chef (Exceed And Excel)’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. She is the best horse in the first three generations of her maternal family, although it is a good winning family with many tough city class gallopers such as Madotti’s half-sister Queen Of The Lochs (Bradbury’s Luck) who won nine races and over $370,000.
Looking Back
Jumping as favourite in Race 2 at Goulburn, Cristal Clear (Exceedance) settled mid-field and then hit the front not long after straightening, ultimately holding off a late charge to win by 0.25l.
Dekadance (Exceedance) was a bit one-paced in Race 1 at the same track, she finished third in the six-horse field.
