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 exciting 3-year-old runners by Written Tycoon and Per Incanto (USA) are chasing success across Australia on Friday.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 6pm AEDT, Precise Air Maiden 3YO Plate, $60,000, 1550m
Patonga, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x In Her Time {Time Thief})
The Chris Waller-trained Patonga (Written Tycoon) will have his third start at Canterbury on Friday, and looks like he will be competitive after running two solid races in his career so far. At his last start he was a brave second behind Coyote (Alabama Express) at Hawkesbury.
Patonga is the second foal from the super talented Time Thief filly In Her Time, she won just over $3.7 million on the track including the G1 Lightning Stakes, G2 Breeders Classic, G2 Millie Fox Stakes, Listed Sydney Stakes and was placed in the G1 Sprint Classic, G1 Stradbroke Handicap, G1 Manikato Stakes, G1 Tattersall’s Classic, G1 TJ Smith Stakes, G3 Hawkesbury Crown and the G2 Premiere Stakes.
Patonga as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
After her outstanding racing career, In Her Time sold at the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale fetching $2.2 million to the bid of Yulong Investments Australia. In Her Time over the last few seasons has produced a 2-year-old colt by Written Tycoon, a yearling filly by Yulong Stud’s young-sire Diatonic (Jpn), before foaling a Pierata colt in August.
Further back in the family features the The Everest victor and stallion in Yes Yes Yes and the stakes-winners Hot As Hell (County), Harlem River (Fastnet Rock), Flaming Hot (County), Craig’s Dragon (Catbird) and Lempicka (Rich Enuff).
Patonga sold for $750,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with Tom Magnier being the successful purchaser from the draft of Yulong.
Southside Pakenham, Race 4, 7.45pm AEDT, RW Advisory Group Class 1 Handicap, $40,000, 1400m
Naitanui (NZ), 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 chase his second win at only his fourth start at Pakenham over 1400 metres for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes on Friday night.
He was an impressive winner at Ararat at his last start over 1300 metres where he charged home late to score stylishly, on the back of that looks a good chance to step up in grade and score again.
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 a 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
Looking Back
Johnich (Dundeel {NZ}) - Won very nicely at Mornington, it was a very strong staying performance from potentially a Derby horse later in the season.
Mission Of Joy (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) - Was scratched from her race at Mornington.
Path To Profit (Capitalist) - Won her maiden in soft fashion at Mornington, it was an easy watch for favourite punters, as she sat on seed and was too strong late.
