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 Alex Rae-trained 3-year-olds by Extreme Choice and Super Seth make their debut at Pakenham on Friday night.
Southside Pakenham, Race 2, 6.45pm AEDT, Precision Mechanical Services Maiden Plate (Chute), $45,000, 1000m
Firerated, 3-year-old colt (Extreme Choice x Boomstress {Spirit Of Boom})
The Alex Rae-trained Firerated (Extreme Choice) makes his debut on Friday at Pakenham over 1000 metres. The promising colt has had plenty of jump-out and trial experience and looks well educated to run well in the hands of jockey Ben Allen.
Firerated is the second foal out of Boomstress (Spirit Of Boom), she was a winner as a juvenile and placed in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes. Her first foal, Aye Eye Boom (Unite And Conquer) has been a winner over 850 metres.
Firerated as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Firerated’s grandam Pegasus Miss (More Than Ready {USA}) was a two-time winner, and is a half sister to the Group 3 winner Metallic Crown (Northern Meteor) and the dual Listed winner Snitzepeg (Snitzel).
Since producing Firerated, Boomstress has left a yearling colt by In The Congo, and foaled an Extreme Choice colt earlier in November.
Firerated was purchased by Matt Vella Bloodstock for $275,000 from the Kingstar Farm draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 3, 7.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Big Bets Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1400m
Corviglia (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Alpine Charm (NZ) {Ocean Park {NZ}})
Another debutant from the Cranbourne-based Alex Rae is the Super Seth gelding Corviglia (NZ). The well-bred gelding has had four jump-outs and trials and has ran third in all of them.
Corviglia (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Corviglia is the first foal out of Alpine Charm (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), she was unplaced on the track, but is very well-bred being a half sister to the Group 1 winning sprinter Adventador (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous), the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup winner Winning Glory (NZ) (One Cool Cat {USA}), and the dual Listed winner Alpine Delight (Bluebird {USA}).
Alpine Charm, in recent years has left a Too Darn Hot (GB) yearling filly, and she was due to foal to The Chosen One this spring.
Corviglia was purchased by AGR Racing for NZ$65,000 from the Milan Park draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Federal Reserve (Justify {USA}) - Was very brave running second at Newcastle, he was caught very wide early so he did a good job to battle on well.
Big Sister Ava (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) - Disappointed running seventh at Ballarat.
