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 runners by Brutal (NZ) and Alabama Express, will hit the track at Seymour on Thursday.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Highlands Joinery Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1600m
Cavalry, 4-year-old gelding (Brutal (NZ) x Tarragon (NZ) {Reliable Man {GB}})
The Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Cavalry (Brutal {NZ}), is set to make his third start at Seymour on Thursday over the mile distance.
He has run two solid races in his career so far including a tidy third at Hawkesbury back in February, and a solid enough fifth resuming at Bendigo late last month.
Cavalry | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Cavalry is the second foal from the unraced mare, Tarragon (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}). She well-related being a half-sister to the G3 Rotorua Cup winner The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), and the Listed winner Pravana (Anabaa {USA}).
Further back in the family are the Group 1 winners Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice).
Since producing Cavalry, Tarragon has produced a 3-year-old filly by Farnan.
Cavalry was originally a $110,000 purchase by Rhys Smith from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was then a successful pinhook, when selling from the Kulani Park draft for NZ$230,000 to Hawkes Racing at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
BET365 Seymour, Race 5, 3.30pm AEDT, Lovatsville - ‘Move To Strike’ Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Cafe Au Lait, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Caffeine {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
The well-related Cafe Au Lait (Alabama Express) is set to make her third start at Seymour over 1200 metres on Thursday for trainer Chris Waller. The Star Thoroughbreds-owned filly ran a very good second at Geelong last start behind Rohesia (Hanseatic), she looks like she will be very competitive in this maiden event.
Cafe Au Lait is out of Caffeine (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) who was unraced, but has a lovely pedigree.
Cafe Au Lait | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cafe Au Lait’s grandam is the very talented Pure Energy (Mossman), she was a three-time winner as a juvenile. Her career highlight came when she was victorious in the G2 Reisling Slipper Trial, and when she placed in the G1 Golden Slipper.
Caffeine since producing Cafe Au Lait, has left a 2-year-old filly by Grunt (NZ), and produced a Tagaloa filly last month.
Cafe Au Lait was purchased for $250,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Extractor (Spirit Of Boom) - Was scratched from his race at Canterbury, he will keep for another day.
Central Coast (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Ran a good second at Canterbury, he looked the winner and was just out fought late.
Yamashita's Gold (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Ran an okay fifth at Sandown.
