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 runners are running across Australia on Friday. Well-bred runners by Hellbent and Almanzor (NZ) are both chasing deserved maiden success.
Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Race 1, 11.50am AEDT, Brandt Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Sussex Duchess, 3-year-old filly (Hellbent x Family Portrait {Excellent Art {GB}})
The promising Hellbent filly, Sussex Duchess is set to make her fourth start over 1400 metres on the Synthetic track at Ballarat for local trainer Andrew Noblet on Friday.
She has improved each start she has had, and her last start effort at Geelong earlier this month was eye-catching when running third behind Presocratics (Written By) over 1200 metres.
Sussex Duchess as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sussex Duchess is the sixth foal out of Family Portrait (Excellent Art {GB}), she was a four-time winner from 1000 metres up to 1600 metres, and was placed in the Listed Pewsey Vale Stakes.
She has already had success at stud leaving four winners including the very talented Foxy Frida (Foxwedge), who was a 10-time winner, including at Group 3 and Listed level, and the eight-time winner and multiple stakes-placed Ritratto (Fiorente {Ire}).
Family Portrait has since produced a 2-year-old gelding named Langlo Crossing (King’s Legacy), a Pinatubo (Ire) weanling filly, and is due to foal to the in-form Harry Angel (Ire) in early October this spring
Sussex Duchess was purchased by Andrew Noblet Racing for $160,000 from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Warracknabeal, Race 4, 12.45pm AEDT, Warrack Motel Maiden Plate, $27,000, 2000m
Kingsford (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Almanzor (Fr) x Fearless Choice {Lonhro})
Kingsford (NZ), a son of Cambridge Stud’s stallion Almanzor (Fr), will make his first start over ground at Warracknabeal on Friday for trainer Matthew Williams. He has shown glimpses of form in his career so far running in the top five in all four starts, by his breeding, and his racing style, it looks like he will thrive over ground. He gets his first opportunity to do so on Friday.
This promising gelding is the first foal from the Lonhro mare Fearless Choice who was unraced on the track.
Kingford (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She is from the classy family of the Group winners Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice), Amelita (Zousain), About Time (NZ) (American Pharoah {USA}),
Fearless Choice since producing Kingsford, has left 2-year-old and yearling colts by Hello Youmzain (Fr), and was served by Armory (Ire) last spring.
Kingsford was purchased for $60,000 by Cody Cole from the draft of Cambridge Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Wild Thoughts (So You Think {NZ}) - Ran a solid second at Hawkesbury, he was beaten a fair way but it was by a very talented type.
Tamahine (Impending) - Won nicely at Bendigo, she deserved that maiden success and won with ease.
