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.
Two exciting runners are set to hit the track at Yarra Valley on Sunday. A progressive Tavistock (NZ) gelding looks like he will appreciate stepping up to 1950 metres and a Capitalist gelding looks hard to beat at his second start.
Bet365 Yarra Valley, Race 1, 12.40pm AEDT, Ezi Debit Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1950m
Vistetto (NZ), 4-year-old gelding (Tavistock (NZ x Aterballetto (NZ) {Stravinsky {NZ}})
The well-related Vistetto (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is set to have his second start for trainer Chris Waller at Yarra Valley on Sunday. On debut, he ran a promising fourth placing at Kilmore on February 21 behind Gulfstate (Pride Of Dubai) over 1450 metres.
Vistetto is a son of Cambridge Stud’s ill-fated Tavistock (NZ), and is the fifth live foal from the Stravinsky (USA) mare Aterballetto (NZ), who managed a couple of placings on the track.
Vistetto (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She is very well-related being a half-sister to Rasa Lila (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who was victorious in the G2 Travis Stakes and the G3 Cuddle Stakes, and another half-sister is Posavina (NZ) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) who won the G3 Lowland Stakes.
Aterballetto, since producing Vistetto, has left a 3-year-old filly named Adios Vamonos (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) who is unraced, and a yearling filly by Cambridge Stud's Embellish (NZ).
Vistetto was a $150,000 purchase by Go Racing from the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale from the draft of Te Runga Stud Ltd.
Bet365 Yarra Valley, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT, Yarra Valley Toyota Maiden Plate, $50,000, 1000m
Watch Capital, 3-year-old gelding (Capitalist x Fast And Loose {Fastnet Rock})
Watch Capital, a promising son of Capitalist, will make his second start at Yarra Valley for Ballarat trainer Mitchell Freedman over 1000 metres. He ran a great race on the same track for third behind I’m Back In Town (Showtime) on February 22 over the same distance.
This sharply-bred gelding is the sixth live foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Fast And Loose, who was a winner at 1100 metres and was classy enough to run fourth in the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes.
Watch Capital as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She has proven to be a good reliable broodmare having left four winners including Santorini Summer (Eurozone), Shootoose (Shooting To Win), Gunshot Glitter (Spirit Of Boom) and Bonito (I Am Invincible).
There are some talented Group winners within this pedigree, including Catapulted (Catbird), Jestatune (Rory’s Jester), Itsahymn (Ihtiram {Ire}), Jukebox, and Bruckner.
Fast And Loose, since producing Watch Capital, has left a 2-year-old colt by Farnan, and was most recently served by Paulele.
Watch Capital was a $110,000 purchase by Mitch Freedman Racing from the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the draft of Mill Park Stud.
Looking Back
Skyhook (Written Tycoon) - was very impressive winning at Group 3 level at Rosehill, he looks a very talented colt and looks a good hope in the G1 Golden Slipper next week.
Alpine Ski (Exceed And Excel) - ran second at Gosford, just missing by a nose. It was a brave run and a victory should not be far away.
Mercantilist (Capitalist) - won impressively at Gosford, it was a much deserved victory.
