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 runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Sunday. These include an Ardrossan 2-year-old filly that is chasing maiden success at Trentham, a beautifully bred Justify (USA) gelding makes his debut on the Sunshine Coast and a Fastnet Rock gelding out of the Group 1-winning Oohood (I Am Invincible) resumes as a 3-year-old at Sale.
Trentham, Race 3, 12.20pm AEDT (2.20pm local), Graham’s Painters 2YO, $40,000, 900m
Almakeitgood (NZ), 2-year-old filly (Ardrossan x Cortado {NZ} {Sepoy})
Almakeitgood (NZ), a daughter of Waikato Stud’s promising stallion Ardrossan, will make her second start at Trentham over 900 metres on Sunday for New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock. This well-bred filly is the third and last foal from the handy Sepoy mare Cortado (NZ).
Cortado was a winner as a juvenile and also showed good preciousness and speed when she managed to place in the Listed Ryder S. This sharpness continues on in the family as Harb (NZ) (Catbird) was a four-time winner including twice as a juvenile including in the Listed Oaklands Plate and Cortado has already left a full sibling juvenile winner in Maracatu (NZ) (Ardrossan) who was successful at Te Rapa.
Almakeitgood (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The family page is a little quiet up close in regards to stakes horses but has some lovely pedigree influences throughout including Redoute’s Choice, Last Tycoon (Ire), Marscay, Elusive Quality (USA), Nassipour (USA) and Night Shift (USA).
Almakeitgood was a $90,000 purchase by SA Sharrock from the draft of Elsdon Park at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 2.55pm AEDT (1.55pm local), AKD Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1000m
French Empire, 3-year-old gelding (Justify {USA} x Champagne Cuddles {Not A Single Doubt})
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained French Empire will make his debut over 1000 metres at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday on the back of three educational trials. At his last one he ran a sound second at Doomben behind Soul Pursuit (Pride Of Dubai) on September 24 over 1000 metres.
French Empire is by Justify (USA) and is the first foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Champagne Cuddles, who was a speedy four-time winner, her wins included the G2 Breeders Classic and the G3 Gold Coast Guineas. She also managed placings in the G1 Golden Rose, G1 Flight S., G1 Stradbroke H. and the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
This family has so much depth to it, French Empire’s grandam Sky Cuddle (Snippets) was also a very good race mare. She was a six-time winner from 1200 metres to 1600 metres including the G1 Emirates S., G2 Rose Of Kingston S. and the G3 Spring S.
French Empire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Other stakes horses within this outstanding page are Fast Clip (Snippetson), Undeniably (Fastnet Rock), Hint (Reset), Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}), Sky Command (Deep Field), A Lot More Love (Sebring), Sky Love (Octagonal {NZ}), Violate (Sebring) and Highly Recommended.
Champagne Cuddles sold at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale fetching $2 million to the bid of Tom Magnier. Since producing French Empire, she has left a 2-year-old filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) named Bottles Of Shells and has since been exported to America to go and visit Justify.
French Empire was purchased from the Coolmore Stud draft for $700,000 to Kia Ora Stud/TFI/Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sale, Race 1, 1.10pm, AEDT, Powered Solutions 3YO Mdn Plate, $50,000, 1400m
Bancory Bay, 3-year-old gelding (Fastnet Rock x Oohood {I Am Invincible)
Sale’s Sunday meeting will serve as the venue for the third career start for Bancory Bay, a regally bred son of the retired legendary stallion Fastnet Rock from the Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson stable at Flemington. On debut he ran second to the promising gelding Signor Bill (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) over 1400 metres at Ballarat on April 28 and then ran a sound fourth behind Lovey (Spirit Of Boom) at Pakenham on May 30 over 1400 metres. After having a break, he has prepared for this assignment with two nice jump-outs at Flemington.
Bancory Bay is the second foal out of the talented mare, Oohood. She was successful in the G1 Flight S. and was the runner-up in the G1 Golden Slipper, G1 Sires’ Produce S., G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) and the Listed Merson Cooper S. She was also classy enough to run third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Blue Diamond S. amongst other stakes placings.
Bancory Bay as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bancory Bay has a strong international pedigree with his page full of influential international and colonial stallions including Fastnet Rock, I Am Invincible, Sunday Silence (Jpn), Canny Lad, Royal Academy (USA), Rory’s Jester, Halo (USA), and Danehill (USA).
Oohood since producing Bancory Bay has left a Wootton Bassett (GB) yearling filly and and foaled a colt by Arrowfield Stud’s Japanese shutter Maurice (Jpn) earlier this month.
Bancory Bay was a $360,000 purchase by PR Bloodstock from the draft of Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Aust Pty Ltd at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Zelia (Fierce Impact {Jpn}) was disappointing on debut after such a promising trial performance, maybe the heavy track conditions didn't suit.
Belle Du Monde (Zoustar) ran a great race on debut for second, it looks like this may be a strong form race and she is one to follow.
Chicama (Written Tycoon) was unfortunately scratched, he will keep for another day.
