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 that has shown promise or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Two exciting runners are running across New Zealand and Australia on Sunday. A Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly chases maiden success at Ellerslie and a Per Incanto (USA) gelding chases maiden success at Ballarat.
Ellerslie, Race 4, 11.55am AEDT (1.55pm local), Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden, $25,000, 1300m
Beneath The Stars (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ten Sovereigns {Ire} x Dormez Vous {NZ} {Rip Van Winkle {Ire}})
The Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly Beneath The Stars (NZ) will be having her second start at Ellerslie on Sunday over 1300 metres. She ran a solid race on debut on the same track on May 4 behind Moxie (Strasbourg).
Ten Sovereigns (Ire) | Standing at Celikoglu Stud
This filly is the third foal out of the Rip Van Winkle (Ire) mare Dormez Vous (NZ), who was unraced on the track, but holds plenty of appeal being a half-sister to the talented racehorse and stallion in Turn Me Loose (NZ). He was a seven-time winner on the track from 1200 metres to 1600 metres in New Zealand and Australia, and his wins included the G1 2000 Guineas, G1 Emirates Stakes, G1 Futurity Stakes, G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas, G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile and the Listed Seymour Cup.
Dormez Vous has already left the promising Tarzino (NZ) gelding Talentoso (NZ) who has been a dual winner at the mile distance and he looks capable of progressing through the grades.
Dormez Vous since producing Beneath The Stars, has left a2-yar-old named Mansory (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), and yearling and weanling colts by Satono Aladdin (Jpn).
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 12pm AEDT, Manhari Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Naitanui (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Per Incanto (USA) x Bella Carolina (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The well-bred Naitanui (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is set to have his second start at Ballarat over 1200 metres for trainers Ben, will and JD Hayes on Sunday.
He ran a strong second on debut at Geelong on May 9 behind Esquel (Puissance De Lune (Ire)) and he should only have improved off that effort and prove hard to beat.
His dam is Bella Carolina (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who was three-time winner on the track, but she has excelled as a broodmare leaving five winners including three at stakes level.
Naitanui (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The best of these is Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) who was a nine-time winner including in the G1 Zabeel Classic and another four Group 2 races, she sells at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale next week. Her other stakes winners are Leedox (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who were both Listed winners as juveniles.
Since producing Naitanui, Bella Carolina has left a 2-year-old filly named Stella Ma Bella (Contributer {Ire}), a weanling filly by Contributer (Ire), and is due to foal to Profondo this spring.
Naitanui was purchased by Rosemont Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing for $320,000 from Mapperley Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Looking Back
Providence (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - ran a slashing third on debut in a strong juvenile race, he looks a very talented colt and is one to follow.
Saluted (I Am Immortal) - ran a brave second at Sandown, it took a good horse to beat her.
Taken (NZ) (Ardrossan) - was very brave winning at Sandown, when Detroit City (Toronado {Ire}) loomed up it looked like second was going to be his lot, but he fought hard and was tough.
