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.
Well bred runners by The Autumn Sun, Harry Angel (Ire) and Capitalist are chasing success across Australia on Saturday.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 6, 2.50pm AEDT, Group 3 Chandon Ming Dynasty Quality, $250,000, 1400m
Autumn Boy, 3-year-old colt (The Autumn Sun x Rosegarden (NZ) {Savabeel})
The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) lines up at Group 3 level at only his third start at Rosehill on Saturday. He made such an impact on debut at Canterbury in early June defeating the talented Central Coast (Wootton Bassett {GB}), and then he was very impressive winning at Listed level at Eagle Farm on June 28.
After a nice break and two quiet trials he looks ready to carry on his unbeaten run and really stamp himself as a potential contender for higher Group 1 glory later in the season.
Autumn Boy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Autumn Boy is the second winner from the unraced Savabeel mare Rosegarden (NZ), a daughter of Group 3 winner O’Reilly Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). She is a three-quarter-sister to Shamexpress (NZ), the G1 Newmarket Handicap winner and now a Group 1-producing sire at Windsor Park Stud.
Shamexpress has been in the news recently as the sire of the outstanding and G1 The Everest-bound Ka Ying Rising (NZ).
Since producing Autumn Boy, Rosegarden (NZ) has delivered a 2-year-old colt by Hellbent. and foaled a Hellbent filly earlier this month
A $200,000 purchase for Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Amarina Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Autumn Boy races in the colours of Glenn Ritchie.
Aquis Park Gold Coast Poly, Race 1, 1.24pm AEDT, GC Bowls Club Maiden Plate, $30,000, 1100m
Drumshanbo, 3-year-old gelding (Harry Angel (Ire) x Ballychine (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The promising Drumshanbo (Harry Angel {Ire}) is set to make his second start over 1100 metres on the Gold Coast Polytrack for trainer Michael Freedman on Saturday.
On debut he ran a very good second on the same track late last month, and he looks very hard to beat from the inside ace gate.
Drumshanbo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Drumshanbo is out of Ballychine (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) who was a winner over 1200 metres. She has left three winners including Port Albert (Sooboog) who has so far in his career been a five-time winner and stakes placed.
The grandam of Drumshanbo is Crepe De Chine (NZ) (Pins), who was a smart six-time sprinter including at Group 3 level and Listed level twice.
In recent times, Ballychine has left a 2-year-old filly by Anders, and foaled a Wild Ruler filly last month. Drumshanbo was a $170,000 purchase by DLF Racing Services from the Mullaglass Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 8, 5pm AEDT, Dynelec (Australia) Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Comic Culture, 4-year-old gelding (Capitalist x Comical Smile (USA) {Comic Strip {USA}})
The regally-bred Comic Culture (Capitalist) is set to make his fourth start over 1200 metres for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
In his first preparation he ran three fifth placings, and he has had two impressive trial wins to prepare him self for this resuming run.
Comic Culture is out of the Comic Strip (USA) mare Comical Smile (USA). She was unraced on the track but is extremely well-related. She is a half-sister to Northern Meteor, the Group 1 winning sprinter and stallion, Queen Of The Hill (Danehill {USA)) who was a dual Group 3 winner, and Rabbuka (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) who was a prolific winner of sixteen races including two Listed races.
Comic Culture as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Comical Smile has made a mark as a broodmare leaving six winners including the sharp sprinter and successful stallion Smart Missile who won the G2 Todman Stakes, G3 Run To The Rose Handicap, Listed Breeders’ Plate, and was placed in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes.
She has also left the Listed winner's Kiss From A Rose (Encosta De Lago) and Surge Ahead (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and Touch Of Red (Fastnet Rock) who was unraced on the track but left Palaispan (So You Think {NZ}) who was the victor in the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara.
Comic Culture was purchased at the sales by Yu Long Investments, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $460,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Looking Back
Miss Deceiver (Tassort) - Ran a solid third on debut at Geelong at good odds.
Act Natural (Royal Meeeting {Ire}) - Was a brave second at Geelong, he is getting close to his maiden victory.
Savisanta (NZ) (Savabeel) - Was a fast finishing second on debut at Geelong, he could be one to watch over further.
