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.
3-year-old geldings by Super Seth and Castelvecchio chase success at Goulburn on Tuesday.
Goulburn, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, Kirk’s Bridge Farm B66 Handicap, $27,000, 1600m
Strongside, 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Garden Of Swans {GB} {Oasis Dream {GB}})
The well-related Strongside (Super Seth) is set to make his third start at Goulburn over 1600 metres for Randwick trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. At his last start he won nicely at Wyong last August, and since having a break he has trialled twice at Randwick to get ready.
Strongside is a son of Waikato Stud’s exciting sire Super Seth and is out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Garden Of Swans (GB). She was unraced on the track but was purchased by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 160,000gns (AU$331,400) before making her way to New Zealand.
Strongside as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Strongside is a full brother to Linebacker (NZ), who was successful in the G1 Randwick Guineas and the G3 Baillieu Handicap.
Strongside’s grandam is the Timber Country (USA) mare Magic Tree (UAE), she was successful at stud leaving the high-class G1 Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram (GB). He now stands at stud in Italy.
Garden Of Swans since producing Linebacker, has a Dundeel (NZ) 2-year-old filly and was due to foal to Super Seth last spring.
Strongside sold for $80,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to the bid of John O’Shea Racing and James bester Bloodstock from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds
Goulburn, Race 7, 5.20pm AEDT, JCF Contracting Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Rockthevelio, 3-year-old gelding (Castelvecchio x Rakitno {Not A Single Doubt})
The promising Rockthevelio (Castelvecchio) lines up for his second start for trainer David Pfieffer at Goulburn on Tuesday.
He ran a very good second on debut at Kembla Grange earlier this month, and in the hands of jockey Shaun Guymer, he looks a big chance to break through.
Rockthevelio as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Rockthevelio is out of the dual winner Rakitno (Not A Single Doubt), and comes from the family of the Group 3 winner Shanghai Warrior (Elvstroem) and the dual Listed winner Perfect Feeling (Spinning World {USA}).
Since producing Rockthevelio, Rakitno has left a 2-year-old named Norakino (North Pacific), a yearling colt by Captivant, and was served by Zousain last spring.
Rockthevelio was purchased by Kurrinda Bloodstock, David Pfieffer Racing and Oliver Koolman for $70,000 from the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Mediterra (Snitzel) - Ran a solid second at Wyong.
Firework (Written Tycoon) - Was scratched from his race at Wyong, he will keep for another day..
