Looking Ahead highlights runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally well-bred or high-priced runner early in their career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse that 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. At Kembla Grange, a promising Written Tycoon filly deserves to win her maiden, and an Alabama Express filly chases maiden success. Then a King's Legacy colt makes his debut at Morphettville.
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Warren Saunders Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Seastraand, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Down The River {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Written Tycoon filly, Seastraand will make her second start at Kembla Grange on Saturday, she ran a very nice second on debut at Newcastle, behind Flying Argyle (Flying Artie) on February 18, where she nearly led all of the way.
Her dam Down The River (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), showed some talent on the track, and was a winner at 1200 metres.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
She is a half-sister to Centre Pivot (More Than Ready {USA}), who was a eight-time winner, including at Listed level in Queensland. Slow The Flow (Hussonet {USA}), and Dam Ready (More Than Ready {USA}), are also half-siblings that were stakes placed.
Since producing Seastraand, Down The River has left a 2-year-old filly named Snitzstream (Snitzel), a yearling filly by Extreme Choice and was served last spring by Pierro.
Seastraand was passed in short of her $250,000 reserve at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Morphettville, Race 2, 1.32pm, AEDT (1.02pm local), Thomas Farms 2YO Handicap, $65,000, 1000m
Durham Legacy, 2-year-old colt (King’s Legacy x Laugh A Little {Lonhro})
The well-related Durham Legacy is set to make his debut on Saturday, over 1000 metres for trainer’s Leon and Troy Corstens, and Will Clarkin at Morphettville. He has prepared for his debut with plenty of jump-outs, and has won his last three of them at Flemington.
Durham Legacy is a son of Coolmore Stud’s exciting King’s Legacy, and is out of the Lonhro mare Laugh A Little, who was a three-time winner over sprint distances on the track.
Durham Legacy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is well-related being a half-sister to two Group winners, Crack Me Up (Mossman), and Hoofit (Mossman), and has already proven to be a classy broodmare, having left the very talented A Little Deep (Deep Field), she has been a five-time winner, including in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes.
Laugh A Little, since producing Durham Legacy, has produced a filly foal by Justify (USA), and last spring was served by King’s Legacy.
Durham Legacy, was a $100,000 purchase by Yorker Lodge from the draft of Holbrook Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 2.35pm AEDT, Club Rivers F&M Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1400m
Alabama Fox, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Foxplay {Foxwedge})
The promising Alabama Fox (Alabama Express), is set to make her second start over 1400 metres, for Warwick Farm trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald at Kembla Grange on Saurday.
She ran a very nice third on debut at Canberra on March 9, behind Jacob’s Ladder (Written By), and should only have improved off that.
Alabama Fox as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Alabama Fox, is the third foal out of the very talented Foxwedge mare Foxplay, who was a five-time winner on the track. She was classy enough to win the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, G2 Phar Lap Stakes, G2 Tea Roe Stakes, and the G2 Furious Stakes.
Foxplay is also well-related, being a three-quarter-sister to the Listed placed El Rocko (Fastnet Rock), and is out of the Listed winner Butters (USA) (El Prado {USA}).
Since producing Alabama Fox, Foxplay has left a yearling colt by Written Tycoon, and was served last spring by Yulong Stud’s Pierata last spring.
Annabel Neasham Racing Pty Ltd/Mitchell Bloodstock, was the purchaser of Alabama Fox for $300,000 from the draft of Yulong, at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Watch Capital (Capitalist) - was simply to quick at Terang, he led all of the way and won impressively.
Buckeye (Zousain) - ran a great race for second at Scone, he was just nailed on the line.
Lady Brightside (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) - won very impressively on debut, she looks like she has a very nice future.
