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.
The focus goes on New Zealand as three exciting 3-year-old fillies are set to hit the track at Taupo on Friday. These include an Ace High filly that made her debut in a strong Group 3 race, a Snitzel half-sister to Estriella (I Am Invincible) brings stakes form to a maiden race and a $1,300,000 purchase by I Am Invincible looks to break through at start number two.
Taupo, Race 2, 10.34am, AEST (12.34pm local), Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Mdn F&M., $18,500, 1400m
Kitty Flash (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ace High x Electrode {NZ} {Pins})
It's a great form line for this Andrew Forsman trained filly who is hunting for her first success at start number two. At her first start she ran fifth at Group 3 grade at Ruakaka behind the talented runner So Naive (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}). This was a big effort on debut after she was successful in all three of her trials leading into that debut run.
Kitty Flash is by the promising Ace High and out of the 2-time winning Pins mare Electrode (NZ). Electrode has started her broodmare career well with her first foal Energize (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) having tasted success at Taupo over 1200 metres.
Ace High (NZ) | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
Electrode is also a half-sister to So Wotif (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who has been a 4-time winner including in the G3 Mr Tiz Trophy and a half-sister to Bonniegirl (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who was successful 6-times including being the victor in the Listed Hawkes Bay Finance Sprint H.
Other Group-performers within this pedigree are the Group 1 winners Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau) and Mr Bureaucrat (Bureaucracy) and other stakes-performers Queen’s Elect (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), My Destiny (Stratum), All Black Gold (Canny Lad), Mi Chiamo (Catbird) and Fuerza (Snippetson).
Since producing Kitty Flash, Electrode has produced a yearling colt by Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and is due to foal to Windsor Park Stud’s exciting young son of Deep Impact (Jpn) in Profondo this month.
Taupo, Race 5, 12.17am, AEST (2.17pm local), NZB Mega Maiden Series Maiden., $18,500, 1200m
Love Poem, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Madrigals {Lonhro})
The well-bred Snitzel filly Love Poem is set to have her fourth start over 1200 metres for trainer Stephen Marsh at Taupo on Friday. She has placed in all of her starts in her first preparation at stakes-level behind classy horses such as Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), so she looks well placed dropping back in grade to this maiden contest.
Love Poem has an outstanding pedigree, she is out of the Lonhro mare Madrigals who failed to make her mark on the track having only raced once but is out of a full-sister to the Champion racehorse Pierro, he saluted the judge eleven times including in the G1 Golden Slipper S., G1 Sires’ Produce S., G1 Champagne S., G1 Canterbury S., and the G1 George Ryder S.
Love Poem as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Adding to her pedigree is the fact Love Poem is a half-sister to one of the current sprinting stars in Estriella (I Am Invincible) who has won four races including the G3 Peter le Grand S., and the Listed Sunlight C., and recently run a solid fourth in G1 level in the Moir S.
Madrigals since producing Love Poem has left a yearling colt by The Autumn Sun and was due to foal to Maurice (Jpn) late last month.
Love Poem was a $280,000 purchase by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from the draft of Arrowfield Stud from the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Taupo, Race 8, 2.02pm, AEST (4.02pm local), Press Statement at Novara Park Mdn 3YO., $18,500, 1000m
Sister Cynane, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Prompt Response {Beneteau})
The superbly-bred Sister Cynane is set to make her second start over 1000 metres for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Taupo on Friday. After trialling up very sharply as a juvenile, she debuted with a very good second at Te Rapa behind Thooza (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}). After having a nice break she had a trial at Avondale on August 13, where it was obvious she was going for a nice soft trial, as she was ridden very quietly.
Sister Cynane is a daughter of Australia’s Champion stallion I Am Invincible and is out of the very talented Beneteau mare Prompt Response. She was a six-time winner and her wins included the G1 Tattersalls Tiara, G2 Emancipation S., G2 Breeders’ Classic, G2 Dane Ripper S., and the Listed Twilight Glow S.
Sister Cynane as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She was a star on the track but is also very well related with her full-brother Prompt Return (Beneteau) winning seven-times including the G3 Maribyrnong P., and placing in the Listed Lightning H., and the Listed Falvelon H., Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) is also a half-sister and she was a smart two-year-old placing in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (f)
Prompt Response since producing Sister Cynane, has left a 2-year-old filly by Widden Stud’s super sire Zoustar named Plaintiff, and since then has unfortunately slipped to Zoustar the last two breeding seasons.
Prompt response has been a star at stud in the sales ring, all from the draft of Widden Stud.
Her first foal Big Demeanor (I Am Invincible) sold for $500,000 to Annabel Neasham/Brian McGuire at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sister Cynane sold for $1,300,000 to Wexford Stables at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and Plaintiff sold for $2,300,000 to James Harron Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Truth Or Dare (NZ) (Vanbrugh) was impressive winning on his home track, he sat midfield and then powered home strongly. He looks one to follow and could be a staying type of 3-year-old to watch.
Lofty Arch (Snitzel) won very nicely at Cranbourne, he is an 'eyecatching' type and led all of the way to win quite softly in the end.
November Air (Pierata) - Unfortunately Kembla Grange was abandoned due to strong winds and safety concerns. November Air will keep for another day.
