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 racing across New Zealand and Australia on Saturday. A promising Almanzor (Fr) looks to break through at Te Rapa, a Wootton Bassett (GB) with very good form looks hard to beat at Werribee, and a classy Super Seth filly attempts to go three in a row at Caulfield.
Te Rapa, Race 1, 10.20am AEDT (12.20pm local), Waikato Draught - Celebrating 100 Years Maiden., $20,000, 1200m
Ascension (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Almanzor (Fr) x Shanro {Lonhro})
Ascension (NZ), a daughter of Cambridge Stud’s classy stallion Almanzor (Fr), will make her fourth start at Te Rapa for Cambridge trainer Samantha Logan on Saturday.
She has been there abouts in her three starts without a lot of luck, after a break this looks a nice starting point for her and it would be no surprise to see her feature.
Almanzor (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud
This well-bred filly is the seventh foal from the Lonhro mare Shanro, who was unraced on the track. Shanro has left four individual winners on the track including Sergio (NZ) (Swiss Ace) who was a seven-time winner from 1200 metres to 1600 metres including in the Listed Anzac Mile, Windsor (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) who was a six-time winner up to 1400 metres and he was successful in the Listed Timaru Stakes, Murless (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been a eight-time winner in Australia and Queen Kamada (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has won at 1200 metres at Awapuni.
Shanro since producing Ascension has left a 2-year-old colt by Tivaci, a yearling colt by Ardrossan, and was served by Sword Of State last spring
Ascension was bred and is raced by Brown Thoroughbreds Ltd and JML Bloodstock Ltd.
Werribee, Race 1, 12.41pm AEDT, Viatek Geelong Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1000m
Wiltshire Square, 2-year-old filly (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sausedge {Shamus Award})
The well-related Wiltshire Square (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is set to chase maiden success at Werribee on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher.
The promising daughter of Wootton Bassett (GB) has already been very well performed as an early 2-year-old running placings in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes, G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (fillies), and the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies). She resumed from a freshen up with a solid third at the Heath on May 7 behind Frostnip (Frosted {USA}).
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Australia
Wiltshire Square is the first foal out of Sausedge (Shamus Award), she was a six-time winner on the track, including at metropolitan level in Sydney.
Sausedge is a half-sister to Vintedge (Flying Spur) who was the winner of the G2 Matriarch Stakes and the Listed Tibbie Stakes, and Youths Edge (Jeune {GB}) who was a Listed winner in Adelaide.
Since producing Wiltshire Square, Sausedge has produced a weanling colt by Maurice (Jpn), and was subsequently served by Wootton Bassett last spring.
Caulfield, Race 5, 2.10pm, AEDT, Rod Griffiths Handicap, $150,000, 1600m
Madiyya (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Super Seth x Ruqqaya (NZ) {Van Nistelrooy {USA}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Madiyya (NZ) (Super Seth) will be attempting to make it three wins in a row at Caulfield on Saturday. The extremely promising 3-year-old filly has looked very good winning at Sale and Caulfield previosuly and looks very hard to beat in this event.
Super Seth | Standing at Waikato Stud
Madiyya is the eighth foal from the Van Nistelrooy (USA) mare Ruqqaya (NZ), who was a two-time winner over staying trips.
She has gone on to thrive as a broodmare, gaving left five winners including Grunt (NZ), who know stands at Yulong Stud but before that was succssful in the G1 Australian Guineas and the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes, Zaydani (NZ) (Savabeel) is another of her progeny and she has been successful at Group 3 level and Listed level twice.
Ruqqaya is also well-related being a half-sister to Ocean Park (NZ), who has been a very successful stallion at Waikato Stud and was a five-time Group 1 winner on the track.
Since producing Madiyya, Ruqqaya has left a 2-year-old named Zayyano (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), and a weanling colt by Proisir, she was subssequently served by Paddington (GB).
Looking Back
Bring Forth (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) - got a well earnt first win, he showed good fight when it counted.
Glamour Ana (Spirit Of Boom) - was impressive winning at Bendigo, she has been very honest throughout her career and deserved victory.
