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 Australia on Saturday. A promising Tagaloa gelding makes his debut at Bendigo, a promising Ghaiyaath (Ire) 2-year-old colt chases his second victory at Rosehill, and a well-bred I Am Invincible mare resumes at Newcastle.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 2, 12.41pm AEDT, Daryl Robertson Auto Electrical Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1100m
Our Chief, 2-year-old gelding (Tagaloa x Rekindled Choice {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-related Our Chief (Tagoaloa), is set to make his debut over 1100 metres on debut at Bendigo on Saturday. He has shown good form at the jump outs for trainer-Danny O’Brien, including winning his last one at Geelong on May 28.
Our Chief is out of Rekindled Choice (Redoute’s Choice), she was unraced on the track, but is very well-bred being a full sister to the very promising stallion and Group 1 winner Alabama Express. Another member of this family is The Everest victor and dual Group 1 winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Our Chief as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has already left two winners including the three-time winner Dusan (Exosphere) and Nacho Nacho Man (Akeed Mofeed {GB}).
Since Producing Our Chief, Rekindled Choice has left a yearling colt by Tagaloa, and she is due to foal to Pierata this spring.
Our Chief was purchased for $70,000 at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Danny O’Brien Racing from the draft of Yulong.
Rosehill, Race 1, 11am AEDT, Chandon 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1400m
Crocodile, 2-year-old colt (Ghaiyyath (Ire) x Monogram {Medaglia D’Oro {USA})
The well-related Crocodile (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) is set to chase his second win for Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings at Rosehill on the back of a solid win at Hawkesbury on May 27 when defeating Like Anything (Maurice {Jpn}).
Crocodile is a son of Darley’s Ghaiyyath (Ire) who has produced another very promising juvenile winner by the name of Observer for Godolphin earlier this month.
Ghaiyyath (IRE) | Standing at Darley
Crocodile is the third foal from the Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Monogram. She was a five-time winner on the track and has already left the classy Character (Teofilo {Ire}) who has won the G2 Queensland Guineas and the G2 Tulloch Stakes among his six wins.
Monogram is a half-sister to Tarquin (Hard Spun {USA}) who was a six-time winner including in the G2 Pago Pago Stakes.
Monogram since producing Crocodile, has produced a yearling colt by Kermedec (NZ) named Definition, and was served by Triple Time (Ire) last spring.
Newcastle, Race 1, 12.30pm AEDT, Phil Duggan Tribute Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 900m
Yvette, 4-year-old mare (I Am Invincible x Secret Agenda {Not A Single Doubt})
The well-bred Yvette (I Am Invincible) is set to have her third start at Newcastle over 900 metres for trainer Ciaron Maher on Saturday. after scratching from her Friday assignment at Goulburn.
She has run two placings early in 2024, so has had a long time off the track. As a result she may definitely need the run on Saturday, but she did have a preparation trial at Goulburn on May 30 over 800 metres.
Yvette as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
His dam is Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt), who was an outstanding seven-time winner including at Group 1 level in the Robert Sangster Stakes, she also won another three Group races and a Listed event in her career.
Secret Agenda is also a sister to Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) who was Group placed on the track, and a half-sister to another three stakes performers including Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun), Donandkim (Smart Missile), and Sweetener (Snitzel).
Since producing Yvette, Secret Agenda has left the winners Agenda Setter (I Am Invincible) and Hidden Motive (Capitalist), she has also left a yearling colt by Home Affairs, and a weanling filly by Zoustar before she sadly died in December last year.
Yvette was withdrawn from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Yvette (I Am Invincible) - As mentioned in the preview, Yvette was scratched from Goulburn, and instead takes her place at Newcastle.
Mercurial Lady (So You Think {NZ}) - Absolutely bolted in by 7 lengths on the Ballarat-Synthetic, she never gave anyone else a hope as she led all of the way.
