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 Saturday, promising 2-year-olds by Too Darn Hot (GB) and Tiger Of Malay go head-to-head at Rosehill, while a well-bred Zoustar mare chases maiden success at Yarra Valley.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 1, 12.35pm AEDT, Schweppes 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1100m
Dr Hook, 2-year-old colt (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Sylvia’s Mother {Snitzel})
The promising R R & P L Crosby-bred and raced Dr Hook (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is set to make his debut at Rosehill on Saturday.
The promising colt won at the trials well at Rosehill on November 18, and the Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained galloper looks a great chance to kick his career off in style.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
Dr Hook is out of the seven-time winner Sylvia’s Mother (Snitzel), a dual Group 3 winner of the Frances Tressady Stakes and the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. Her two foals to race are both winners, including the Wootton Bassett (GB) gelding Wise Inlaw, who has also been placed at Listed level.
In recent seasons, Sylvia’s Mother has produced a yearling colt by Home Affairs and foaled an Anamoe colt this spring.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 1, 12.35pm AEDT, Schweppes 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1100m
Tigroni, 2-year-old filly (Tiger Of Malay x Campari (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
Tigroni, a daughter of the exciting first-season sire Tiger Of Malay makes her debut at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
She showed that she has plenty of ability when winning at the Rosehill trials on November 18, and in the hands of Zac Lloyd, looks a good chance in an open race.
Tigroni as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Tigroni is out of the Listed placed O’Reilly (NZ) mare Campari (NZ), and is related to the speedy Group 1 winner Pernod (NZ) (Centaine), and her dual Group 3 and Listed winning daughter Martini Red (Red Ransom {USA}).
Since producing Tigroni, Campari has foaled an Artorius colt, and she missed to Don Corleone last spring.
Tigroni looks to have been well bought for $85,000 by O’Shea–Charlton Racing, James Bester Bloodstock and the Ladies Syndicate from the Newgate draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bet 365 Yarra Valley, Race 1, 1.41pm AEDT, Melbourne Chain Wire Fencing Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1009m
Above Me, 4-year-old mare (Zoustar x She’s So High {I Am Invincible})
Above Me, a daughter of Widden Stud’s Champion stallion Zoustar, will be chasing maiden success for trainer Matt Laurie at Yarra Valley on Saturday.
She has run some solid races and has not been too far away from featuring, it would be no surprise to see her competitive in this maiden event over the short course 1009 metres.
Above Me as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Above Me is the fourth foal from the talented She’s So High (I Am Invincible), who was a winner at Group 3 level, and at Listed level twice.
Further back in the family are the talented Group winners and stallions Deep Field and Shooting To Win, as well as other stakes winners Zaniah (Zoustar) and Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}).
She’s So High has a 3-year-old gelding named Nielsen Park (Zoustar), a 2-year-old colt named Inner Gold (Zoustar), a Zoustar yearling filly, and a Zousain filly foal that was born this spring.
Above Me was purchased for $575,000 by Yu Long Investments from the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Looking Back
Patonga (Written Tycoon) - Won nicely at Canterbury, he led throughout and won softly in the end.
Naitanui (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) - Ran a solid enough fourth at Pakenham.
