Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally 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 Wednesday. A well-bred U S Navy Flag (USA) filly chases maiden success at Waverley, a promising Snitzel colt is in the 2-year-old race at Wyong, and a Super Seth gelding resumes at Doomben.
Waverley, Race 2, 12.37pm AEDT (2.37pm local), Property Brokers Maiden, $25,000, 1200m
Fleur De Blues (NZ), 3-year-old filly (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Honfleur {NZ} {Fastnet Rock})
The Debbie Harris-trained Fleur De Blues (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), will make her second start at Waverley on Wednesday after running a very tidy third at Wanganui on debut behind Colour Chart (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) on February 21.
The promising filly is the second foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Honfleur (NZ), who was placed on the track in New Zealand.
U S Navy Flag (USA) | Standing at The Oaks Stud
This family has plenty of depth, and amongst Honfleur’s half-siblings include the Champion 3-year-old Filly Shamrocker (NZ) (O’Reilly), the G1 Auckland Cup winner Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn), and the Group winners Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), and Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Since producing Fleur De Blues, Honfleur has produced an Ace High yearling filly, and she was most recently served by Ace High again last spring.
Fleur De Blues was a NZ$160,000 purchase by Hughes Bloodstock from the draft of Valachi Downs at the 2022 Karaka National Weanling Sale.
Wyong, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, TAB.COM.AU 2YO Handicap, $60,000, 1350m
Congressman, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Top Cuban {Anabaa {USA}})
Congressman, a son of Arrowfield Stud’s Champion Snitzel, will make his second start at Wyong over 1350 metres on Wednesday for trainer Chris Waller. This colt ran a very good third behind King Of Pop (Farnan) at Warwick Farm on February 19.
This form looks strong, as King Of Pop subsequently came out and won the G3 Black Opal Stakes at his next start and takes his place in the G1 Golden Slipper this weekend.
Congressman as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
He is the ninth-live foal from Top Cuban (Anabaa {USA}), who was a winner as a juvenile on the track.
She then became a very good broodmare, leaving six individual winners, including two at Group level. The Group winners have been Havana (Starcraft {NZ}), who was a Group 3 winner, and Diplomatico (Snitzel), who was successful in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.
Since producing Congressman, Top Cuban has left a colt foal by Hitotsu, and was subsequently served last spring by Maurice (Jpn).
Congressman sold at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, fetching $575,000 to the bid of J McCalmont from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.
Doomben, Race 3, 3.13pm, AEDT (2.13pm local), Gallopers Sports Club C,G&E Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1350m
Will It Snow (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Snowdrop {NZ} {Pins})
Doomben’s Wednesday meeting will be the venue for the fourth start of Will It Snow (NZ), a well-bred son of Waikato Stud’s very exciting sire Super Seth, from the Bevan Laming stable.
He showed good promise when placing at Grafton on debut over 1000 metres, before he slightly disappointed when running fifth at Ipswich, and fourth at Gatton. He should have benefitted from a good break, and connections will be looking for a bold run resuming.
Will It Snow is quite well-related, being a half-brother to Grand De Flora (NZ) (Savabeel) who won four times in Australia and was Group 2-placed, and Grand Bouquet (NZ) (Savabeel) who won five times from 1300 metres to 2100 metres, and was placed in the Listed Marton Cup and the G3 Counties Cup.
Will It Snow (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Will It Snow is out of the handy New Zealand sprinter Snowdrop (NZ) (Pins). She won six races, and was talented enough to manage placings in the Listed Counties Bowl Handicap, and the Listed ARC Newmarket Handicap.
Will It Snow's grandam is the eight-time winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}); her victories include the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas, the G1 Australian Oaks, and the G1 Windsor Park Challenge Plate.
Snowdrop, since producing Will It Snow, has left a yearling colt by Noverre (NZ), foaled a Noverre filly last spring, and was subsequently served by the promising son of Savabeel again.
Will It Snow was a $60,000 purchase by John White Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the draft of Waikato Stud Ltd at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Able Yellow (Justify {USA}) - got the win he deserved at Hawkesbury. He probably didn't do it in the style of a very warm favourite, but he got the job done and that is the mian thing.
Grinzinger Sun (The Autumn Sun) - won very nicely at Bendigo, and looks like she could be a very progressive filly.
