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 Australia on Saturday. A promising Written Tycoon colt deserves to win his maiden at Group 3 level at Rosehill, and Gosford is the venue, for runners by Exceed And Excel and Capitalist to chase maiden success.
Rosehill, Race 3, 1.40pm AEDT, Group 3 TAB Pago Pago Stakes, $250,000, 1200m
Skyhook, 2-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Madame Pauline {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-bred Skyhook (Written Tycoon), is set to have his third start in the G3 TAB Pago Pago Stakes on his home track on Saturday over 1200 metres for Rosehill trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.
He is still currently a maiden, but he has outstanding form. He ran third on debut behind Shaggy (Sandbar) on February 15, and then he ran an outstanding second behind the very talented Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the G2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick on March 1.
Skyhook as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Skyhook is the second foal from the two-time winner Madame Pauline (Redoute’s Choice), she is extremely well related being a three-quarter-sister to the G3 San Domenico Stakes winning speed machine Anders, who now stands at Widden Stud, and Ostraka (Snitzel) who has won at Listed level in the Queensland Day Stakes.
Since producing Skyhook, Madame Pauline foaled a colt by Dundeel (NZ) last spring and was subsequently served by Maurice (Jpn).
Skyhook was a $575,000 purchase by Ryan and Alexiou Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Titan Financial Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1000m
Alpine Ski, 3-year-old gelding (Exceed And Excel x Chamrousse {Ire} {Raven’s Pass {USA}})
The well-related Alpine Ski (Exceed And Excel) is set to have his fourth start for Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings on the back of showing some good promise in his first campaign.
On debut he ran a very good second placing at Kembla Grange on July 18 over 1000 metres behind Fortingall (I Am Invincible), then at his next start he ran an okay fourth at Warwick Farm on July 31, before a very good second behind Theblade (Toronado {Ire}) on the Randwick-Kensington track on August 14. After a nice break, he has been gelded and has had two quiet trials in Sydney in preparation for this maiden event.
Exceed and Excel
Alpine Ski is a son of Darley’s outstanding and now pensioned sire Exceed And Excel and is the second foal from the Raven’s Pass (USA) mare Chamrousse (Ire). She was only placed on the track in Ireland, but has a very nice pedigree.
Chamrousse is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and stallion in Amadeus Wolf (GB) and the Group 3 winning juvenile Rouleau (GB) (Exceed And Excel).
Chamrousse since producing Alpine Ski, has produced an unraced 2-year-old named Casserousse (Exceed And Excel), a yearling colt by Microphone named Eterlou, and foaled a colt by Pinatubo (Ire) last spring.
Gosford, Race 3, 2.35pm AEDT, Airpak Sheetmetal Midway 3YO & Up Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1200m
Mercantilist, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x Angel’s Choice {Redoute’s Choice})
Mercantilist, a daughter of Capitalist, will be making her debut for Wyong trainer Sara Ryan on Saturday over 1200 metres. She has looked talented winning three out of her four trials, and Grant Buckley takes the reins as she looks to win on debut.
The sharply-bred filly is the fourth foal from the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Angel’s Choice. She has already left the winners Packer (Written Tycoon) and Milliondollarmumma (Capitalist).
Mercantilist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is very well-related and is a full sister to the dual Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and a three-quarter-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and stallion Pariah.
Angel’s Choice since producing Mercantilist, has left a 2-year-old filly named Vinnie’s Angel (I Am Invincible), foaled a colt by Home Affairs last spring and was subsequently left empty.
Mercantilist was a $420,000 purchase by Domeland Pty Ltd from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Daring Dame (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) - ran a very good second, she was caught wide throughout, and had a bit of difficulty gaining clear running. Once she did, she ran on strongly to only narrowly go down.
Unifies (Starspangledbanner) - was unfortunately scratched at Cranbourne, he will keep for another day.
Chest Of Gold (Rich Enuff) - got the job done as a warm favourite at Cranbourne, he deserved that success.
