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 3-year-old runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. These include a Vadamos (Fr) gelding making his debut at Waverley, a promising Tarzino (NZ) gelding resumes at Doomben and a beautifully bred Snitzel colt is chasing maiden success at Warwick Farm.
Waverley, Race 1, 11.05am AEDT (1.05pm local), Dunstan Salute Mdn., $20,000, 1200m
Agent Black Hand (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Vadamos {Fr} x Agent Provocateur {NZ} {Shocking})
Agent Black Hand (NZ), a son of Vadamos, will be making his debut at Waverley for Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson after showing a bit of promise at the trials. On September 18 he ran a narrow second behind Derryman (NZ) (Derryn) at Foxton and then again at Foxton on October 1 he ran a nice third behind Cosentino (NZ) (El Roca) over 1000 metres.
The well-related gelding is the second live foal from the Shocking mare Agent Provocateur (NZ), who was placed on the track at Te Aroha in New Zealand.
She is very well-related being out of the Black Minnaloushe (USA) mare Shortblackmini (NZ) who was a two-time winner on the track and was placed in the G3 Taranaki 2YO C.
Agent Black Hand (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She is out of a stakes winner in Miss Opera (NZ) (Paris Opera) and also is a half-sister to the G1 NZ Derby winner and stallion Puccini (NZ) and the champion Kiwi galloper in Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) who was successful 22 times including in six Group 1 races.
Shortblackmini has also been an outstanding broodmare having left three individual stakes winners. These include Little Wonder (NZ) who was a dual Group 3 winner and stallion, Amarula (NZ) (Thorn Park) who was a 10-time winner and the victor in the G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas and Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) who was a six-time winner from 1400 metres up to 2000 metres including in the Listed Kaimai S.
Agent Provocateur since producing Agent Black Hand has left a 2-year-old colt by Ocean Park (NZ) and is due to foal to Proisir this spring.
Agent Black Hand was purchased by Chris Rutten Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the draft of Brighthill Farm for $50,000 at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Doomben, Race 3, 4.03pm AEDT (3.03pm local) Spring Carnival Book Now QTIS 3YO Mdn H., $40,000, 1350m
He’s A Saint (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tarzino {NZ} x Sainted {More Than Ready {USA}})
The Toowoomba-based Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained He’s A Saint (NZ) will have his second start at Doomben on Wednesday over 1350 metres. On debut he ran a great race for second at Toowoomba over 1300 metres on July 13 behind the very talented Shadow Power (Dundeel {NZ}) who subsequently won again. He has warmed up for this race with a narrow third placing at the Deagon trials on October 1 behind Blonde On Blonde (Pierro).
This Tarzino gelding is out of the More Than Ready (USA) mare Sainted, who was placed on the track. She has left three winners including Lammer (NZ) - Fortune Warrior (HK) (Swiss Ace), Salonius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Keep Me Loyal (Exosphere).
He's A Saint (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sainted is a half-sister to the talented Zeditave filly Kakakakatie (Zeditave), she was successful in the Listed Wenona Girl H. and the Listed PJ Bell H. She has also had good success at stud leaving nine individual winners including the stakes-placed Sebrakate (Sebring) and Quattro Katie (Zoustar).
Other stakes-performers in the pedigree are Believe In Magic (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), Moeraki (NZ) (El Roca), Ace Of Diamonds (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Stroll (Snitzel).
Sainted since producing He’s A Saint has left a yearling filly also by Tarzino before passing away shortly after.
He's A Saint was offered for sale by Westbury Stud Ltd at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was passed in short of his $100,000 reserve.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Drinkwise Mdn Plate, $60,000, 1400m
Leconfield, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Tavarnelle {Zabeel {NZ}})
The well-bred Leconfield is set to have his third start over 1400 metres for trainer Chris Waller on the Randwick-Kensington course. At his first start he made good late ground to finish fourth at Warwick Farm on May 8 over 1000 metres behind the talented Emirate (Extreme Choice), then he ran another good fourth when making ground well behind Aemelius (Hellbent) who subsequently placed at Listed level. After a break he has trialled twice in preparation for this race.
Leconfield is a son of Arrowfield Stud’s star stallion Snitzel and is out of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Tavarnelle. She was a three-time winner at 1400 and 1550 metres including the G3 Frances Tressady S. and she was also placed in the G3 Tesio S.
Tavarnelle has started her stud career off in great fashion having already left three individual winners. The best of these has been Tuscan Queen (Fastnet Rock) she was the victor in the G2 West Australian Derby, G3 West Australian Oaks, G3 Champion Fillies S. and the Listed Natasha S. Her other winners include Justice Glory (Fastnet Rock) and Lacazette (Fastnet Rock).
Leconfield as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The Snitzel/Zabeel cross has also had great proven success with a 69 per cent winners to runners ratio and a solid 10 per cent stakes winners to runners ratio. Some of the stakes-winning gallopers on the track with this cross includes the stallions Perast and Time For War and the other stakes-winners Bavella, Macroura, Lubiton and Castlereagh Kid.
Further back in the pedigree page is the Singapore Horse of the Year in Zirna (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}) and other stakes winners including Crafty Irna (Starcraft {NZ}), Flower Of Wanaka (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), Amazing Me (NZ) (Deputy Governor), Vandalo (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}) and Snickerdoodledandy (Snitzel).
Tavarnelle, since producing Leconfield, has left a 2-year-old colt by Farnan named Breukelen and was due to foal to Darley Stud’s Anamoe late last month.
Leconfield was an expensive purchase at the sales costing Tom Magnier $1,000,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds.
Looking Back
Pretty Cheeky (Written Tycoon) was disappointing at Goulburn running ninth, after having a prominent position on straightening she faded late.
Charcoals (Too Darn Hot {GB}) won well at Wangaratta, he looked good doing it impressively and looks like he may have a nice future.
Jasmina (Blue Point {Ire}) was unfortunately scratched, she will keep for another day.
