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 well-bred 3-year-olds by Dundeel (NZ) and Shalaa (Ire) are chasing maiden success at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Ladies Day Saturday 8 November Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1600m
Columbus, 3-year-old gelding (Dundeel (NZ) x Tides {Fastnet Rock})
The beautifully-bred Columbus (Dundeel {NZ}), is set to make his third start over 1600 metres at Hawkesbury on Thursday. The Les Bridge-trained gelding has run two solid placings in his career so far at Newcastle, and the mile looks like it will suit.
Columbus is the fourth foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Tides. She was a three-time winner from 1300 metres up to 1600 metres. She is a full sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock), and the Listed winning gelding Groundswell (Fastnet Rock).
Columbus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Columbus’s third dam is the great mare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad), she will forever have a lasting influence on the breed in Australasia as she left the Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, the Group 1 winners and sires Manhattan Rain and Platinum Scissors, the Listed winner and sire Echoes Of Heaven and the talented stakes winner and stakes producer in Sliding Cube (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Tides since producing Columbus, has left a 2-year-old named Global Goal (Pinatubo {Ire}), a yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn), and is due to foal to Castelvecchio this month.
Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and the Alpha Syndicate was the purchaser of Columbus for $1.5 million from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, HRC Motel 3YO Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Confidentiality, 3-year-old filly (Shalaa (Ire) x Confidential Queen {Shamardal {USA}})
The promising Joseph Pride-trained Confidentiality (Shalaa {Ire}), makes her debut at Hawkesbury on Thursday over 1000 metres in the hands of jockey Jay Ford.
The Shalaa (Ire) filly has ran three promising seconds at the trials in preparation for this race and she looks well educated to run well on debut.
Confidentiality is the fifth foal out of Confidential Queen (Shamardal {Ire}), she only raced three times but she has made a name for herself as a broodmare leaving four winners with the best of these clearly being the outstanding Private Eye (Al Maher).
Confidentiality as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Private Eye has been a 13-time winner of just under $12.5 million, he has been successful in the G1 Epsom Handicap, four other Group 2 races and another two Group 3 races. He has also ran second and third in The Everest. He is still in great form and looks a great chance in the G3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield this weekend.
Confidential Queen in recent times has left an Anamoe yearling filly, and is due to foal again to Anamoe later this month.
Confidentiality was passed in short of her $500,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Chicama (Written Tycoon) - Was a deserved maiden winner at Warwick Farm. The flashy colt looks like he could go on with it now.
Fernweh (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) - Ran a brave third at Warwick Farm, he had to work hard to get to the lead and was only outfinished very late. He will be winning soon.
Wowzino (Tarzino {NZ}) - Ran a solid third at Doomben, it was an honest effort.
