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.
On Sunday, a promising Almanzor (Fr) 4-year-old chases maiden status, and an expensive Snitzel filly that has very strong form, takes her place at Kilmore.
Sale, Race 4, 2.35pm AEDT, Grassdale Estate Maiden Plate, $42,5000, 1411m
Touchdown (NZ), 4-year-old gelding (Almanzor (Fr) x Shamardal Luck {Shamardal {USA}})
Touchdown (NZ), a son of Cambridge Stud’s stallion Almanzor (Fr) will make his second start at Sale on Sunday for trainers Ben , Will and JD Hayes. He ran a great race on debut at Cranbourne in May, and has since had a nice break and a couple of jump-outs to prepare himself for this resuming run.
This promising gelding is the sixth foal from the Shamardal (USA) mare Shamardal Luck, who was a two-time winner in New Zealand.
Touchdown (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has started her broodmare career off well, leaving four winners including Shocking Luck (NZ) - Zilong (H.K.), who was a Group 3 winner, and Analytica (NZ) (Shocking) who has been a seven-time winner and Listed placed.
Shamardal Luck since producing Touchdown, has left a 3-year-old colt named Tremont (Time Test {GB}), a yearling colt by Shocking, and is due to foal to Shocking again this spring.
Touchdown was passed in short of his $100,000 reserve at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Park Kilmore, Race 1, 1.40pm AEDT, Bet365 Top Finishes 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1107m
Pure Passion, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Snogging {I Am Invincible})
Kilmore is the venue for Pure Passion (Snitzel) to have her fifth start on Sunday, and she looks a huge chance of winning her maiden. The well-bred daughter of Snitzel from the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable has run three very good placings in her career including at Group 3 and Listed level.
Pure Passion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pure Passion is out of the talented mare Snogging (I Am Invincible) who was successful four times from 1300 metres to 1600 metres, she also placed in the G2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes and the Listed Centaurea Stakes. Further back in the family are the talented New Zealand-bred trio of El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), Chocante (NZ) (Shocking) and Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Snogging’s further progeny since producing Pure Passion, includes a 2-year-old filly by Stay Inside, a yearling filly by Snitzel, and she foaled a colt earlier this month by Coolmore Stud’s Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
Pure Passion was purchased for $950,000 by KPW Bloodstock from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) - Ran a very good second at Rosehill, he will improve with more ground.
Drumshanbo (Harry Angel {Ire}) - Ran a solid second on the Gold Coast Polytrack, he will improve off that again.
Comic Culture (Capitalist) - Ran a disappointing sixth at Kembla Grange.
