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 horses are hitting the track at Canterbury on Wednesday. Well-bred runners by Alabama Express, Snitzel, and Too Darn Hot (GB) all look hard to beat in their respective races.
Canterbury, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Ranvet Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1100m
From The Peak, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Andes {Street Cry {Ire}})
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained, and Yulong Investments bred and owned Alabama Express filly, From The Peak will be making her second start at Canterbury on Wednesday. She ran a very good race for second on debut at Newcastle back in March and after a short break and a couple of trials, she looks well-placed to run well resuming.
From The Peak as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
From The Peak is out of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Andes, she only raced once, but has started her broodmare career well. Her first foal Mountain Range (Teofil {Ire}) has been a winner and her third foal, Pharari (American Pharoah {USA}) has been a four-time winner and Listed placed.
There are a range of international Group-winners throughout the pedigree including Aramayo (Poet’s Voice {GB}), In The Wings (GB), High Hawk (Ire) (Shirley Heights {GB}), Hunting Hawk (Ire) and Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).
Since Producing From The Peak, Andes has produced a 2-year-old filly by Written Tycoon, and was served by Tagaloa last spring
From The Peak was offered at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, but was passed in short of her $120,000 reserve.
Canterbury, Race 2, 1.25pm AEDT, TAB 2YO Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Sigma, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Princess Coup {Encosta De Lago})
Canterbury’s Wednesday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Sigma, a very well-bred son of Snitzel that is trained by Gai Waterhouise and Adrian Bott. He has had plenty of educational trials, and looked talented winning his last one over 1050 metres at Randwick late last month.
Sigma as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sigma is the twelfth foal out of the outstanding mare Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago), she was a 12-time winner including at Group 1 level four times in New Zealand.
She has done a fantastic job at stud leaving nine individual winners including the Group-winners Argentia (Frankel {GB}), and Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice).
Other stakes performers that feature close-up in the pedigree include Moesha (I Am Invincible), Rich Dottie (Written Tycoon), Oz Empress (Exceed And Excel), Key (Exceed And Excel), Stonecoat (Pierro), and Epimeles (Dundeel {NZ}).
Princess Coup, since producing Sigma, has left an Exceed And Excel yearling filly, and is due to foal to Home Affairs late next month.
Sigma failed to meet his $450,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Canterbury, Race 3, 2pm AEDT, Asahi Super Dry Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Signor Tortoni, 3-year-old gelding (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Tortoni {Strategic})
The Ron Quinton-trained Signor Tortoni (Too Darn Hot {GB}) will be chasing back-to-back success at Canerbury on Wednesday. He was far too good for his opposition at maiden level at Gosford last month, winning by nearly four lengths.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
Signor Tortoni is the sixth-live foal from the Strategic mare Tortoni, who was a winner at 1000 metres. She has proven to be a very handy broodmare leaving five winners including the Group winners Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Wings Of Song (Mendelssohn {USA}), and the Group-placed Jenny Jerome (Churchill {Ire}).
Tortoni is very well-related being a half-sister to the 13-time Group 1 winning superstar in Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}), and a daughter of Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}) who was also a Group 1 winner.
Tortoni since producing Signor Tortoni, has left a yearling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr), and a weanling colt by Churchill (Ire).
Looking Back
Galactic Force (Cosmic Force) and Sungazer (Zoustar) were both scratched, they will keep for another day.
