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 promising 3-year-olds are looking to gain a win on the first day of the new racing season. A filly by Ardrossan is chasing success on debut at Cranbourne, while a Farnan gelding looks hard to beat at Kembla Grange
Southside Cranbourne, Race 4, 2.30pm AEDT, Vale Robbie Laing Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Kiwi Harmony (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ardrossan x Do Ra Mi (NZ) {Savabeel})
The well-related Kiwi Harmony (NZ) (Ardrossan) is set to debut at Cranbourne over 1200 metres for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman on Friday. She has shown good glimpses of talent at the Pakenham jump outs, and looks well educated ahead of her debut performance.
Kiwi Harmony is a daughter of Waikato Stud’s exciting Ardrossan, and is the eighth live foal out of the Savabeel mare Do Ra Mi (NZ), who was the winner of the G2 Kewney Stakes on the track.
Kiwi Harmony (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She has proven to be a reliable broodmare leaving four broodmares incuding the Group placed Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
She has a very solid pedigree and some of the stakes winners that feature include Unique Jewellery (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Marju Snip (NZ) (Marju {Ire}), and Candide (NZ) (Sound Reason {Can}).
Since producing Kiwi Harmony, Do Ra Mi has left a yearling colt by Banquo, and is due to foal to the same stallion in early August.
Kiwi Harmony was purchased by Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing for $100,000 from the Waikato Stud draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 1.50pm AEDT, Jockeys Celebration Day Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1300m
Ninja, 3-year-old gelding (Farnan x Impulsive {So You Think {NZ}})
The promising Ninja (Farnan) is set to have his second career start at Kembla Grange on Friday for trainer-Michael Freedman.
He ran a very good third on debut at Kensington on July 16 behind Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon), and looked like he would improve off that run and the experience.
Ninja as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ninja is the fourth foal out of Impulsive (So You Think {NZ}), she was a three-time winner on the track. She is very well bred being a half-sister to Laisserfaire (Danehill {USA}) who was a five-time Group 1 winner in South Africa.
Other top class stakes winners in the family include A Time For Julia (Redoute’s Choice), Procrastinate (Jade Hunter {USA}), As Time Goes By (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Personal (Fastnet Rock), and Almighty Girl (Beneteau).
Impulsive since leaving Ninja, has produced a weanling colt by Siyouni (Fr), and is due to foal to Anamoe in early October.
Ninja was purchased for $380,000 by MyRacehorse, Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi Pty Ltd and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Million Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Whispering Rogue (Pierata) - Ran a good second resuming at Ipswich, he was extremely unlucky and is one to follow.
Kurithea (Maurice {Jpn}) - Was scratched from her event, she will keep for another day.