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.
Two exciting 3-year-olds are hitting the track at Pakenham on Thursday. A Belardo (Ire) filly chases maiden success and an exciting Too Darn Hot (GB) filly looks hard to beat stepping up in grade.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 4.45pm AEDT, Sarah takes on Lisa Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1600m
Knobelas (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Belardo (Ire) x Knowable (NZ) {Sacred Falls {NZ]})
The promising Knobelas (NZ) is set to make her second start for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at Pakenham on Thursday.
She ran a very good second on the same track on May 8 behind South Hoba (Astern), she finished off strongly that day and it looks like the step up to 1600 metres should only be of benefit to her.
Knobelas (NZ) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Knobelas the second foal out of the Sacred Falls (NZ) mare Knowable (NZ), who was unraced. She is a three-quarter-sister to Knew It (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who is the dam of Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci), she was smart on the track winning the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes and the G2 Eclipse Stakes. She recently sold at this years Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale for $350,000 to the bid of Newgate Bloodstock.
Since producing Knobelas, Knowable has left a 2-year-old colt by Time Test (GB), a weanling colt by Ardrossan, and was most recently served by Ardrossan again last spring.
Knobelas was a $20,000 purchase by Kasa Bloodstock from the draft of Prima Park at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 7, 7.45pm AEDT, Nathan takes on Luke S B70 Handicap, $40,000, 1000m
Trembles, 3-year-old filly (Too Darn Hot {GB} x Earthquake {Exceed And Excel})
Godolphin’s head-trainer James Cummings will prepare the well-bred filly Trembles (Too Darn Hot {GB}) to run at Pakenham on Thursday.
Trembles was an impressive winner at Mornington on May 12 when she led all of the way and put 4 lengths on the field, she looks very capable of stepping up in grade and getting the job done again.
Too Darn Hot | Standing at Darley Australia
Trembles is by Darley Stud’s outstanding shuttling stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) out of the Exceed And Excel mare Earthquake, she was a very quick mare on the track winning five races, including four as a juvenile. These races included the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, G2 Reisling Stakes, G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and the G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
Earthquake has already tasted success at stud leaving five winners including the Group 2 placed and winner Sumatra (Lonhro), and the 13-time winner and Listed placed Namazu (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Other successful stakes performers in the family include the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}), Palomares (Commands), Pandemic (Sepoy) and El Cambio (Commands).
Since producing Trembles, Earthquake has a 2-year-old gelding by Frosted (USA) named Cyroseisms, a Pinatubo (Ire) weanling filly, and was most recently served by the exciting young stallion Anamoe.
Looking Back
Indigo Star (Zoustar) - Ran second at Canterbury, it was a very good effort.
Kilkenny (I Am Invincible) - Pulled up last at Canterbury.
Rambling (Zoustar) - Ran fourth at Seymour.
