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 Per Incanto (USA) and Street Boss (USA) are chasing maiden success at Ararat on Sunday.
Ararat, Race 3, 2.35pm AEDT, Ararat Rural City Council Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Naitanui, 4-year-old gelding (Per Incanto (USA) x Bella Carolina (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The well-bred Naitanui (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) is set to have his third start at Ararat over 1300 metres for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes on Sunday.
He placed second on debut at Geelong on May 9, before failing at Ballarat later that month. He has since had a break and three jump-outs at Pakenham to prepare himself for his resuming run.
His dam is Bella Carolina (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who was three-time winner on the track, but she has excelled as a broodmare leaving five winners including three at stakes level.
Naitanui (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The best of these is Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) who was an 11-time winner including in the G1 Zabeel Classic and another four Group 2 races. Her other stakes winners are Leedox (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Tennessee (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who were both Listed winners as juveniles.
Since producing Naitanui, Bella Carolina has left a 3-year-old filly named Stella Ma Bella (Contributer {Ire}), a yearling filly by Contributer (Ire), and was due to foal to Profondo this spring.
Naitanui was purchased by Rosemont Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing for $320,000 from Mapperley Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Ararat, Race 4, 3.10pm AEDT, Midland Irrigation Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1600m
Boncapo, 3-year-old colt (Street Boss (USA) x Bonanova’s Dream {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-bred Boncapo (Street Boss {USA}) lines up for his second start for trainer-Ciaron Maher at Ararat on Sunday over 1600 metres.
On debut he ran a very good second at Horsham last month over 1400 metres, the step up to a mile looks ideal for him.
Boncapo is the first foal out of Bonanova’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice), who was a three-time winner on the track. She is very well-related being a three-quarter-sister to the stakes winners Kittens (Redoute’s Choice), Sheer Talent (Redoute’s Choice), and Extra Choice (Redoute’s Choice).
Boncapo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
His grandam is Bonanova (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), she won at Group 1 level among her eight wins. She went on to leave the stakes winners Prima Nova (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Bonaici (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}).
In recent years, Boncapo has left a 2-year-old filly by Maurice (Jpn), a yearling filly by Zoustar, and she foaled a Pierata filly last month.
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock purchased Boncapo for $200,000 from the Element Hill draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Looking Back
Free Flying (Snitzel) - disappointed in the R. Listed Inglis Banner finishing 11th
Defensemen (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - finished fifth in the $1 million Golden Gift
Artemex (Exceed And Excel) - was 8th in the Golden Gift
