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 well-bred runners by Snitzel and Brutal (NZ) chase maiden success at Pakenham on Thursday night.
Southside Pakenham, Race 1 5.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Big Bets Copy Now Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1200m
Privateer, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Girandola {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Privateer (Snitzel) chases maiden success at Pakenham on Thursday over 1200 metres. The beautifully bred filly has mixed form, but did run a good second at Seymour in early February behind Azzacool (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}).
Privateer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Privateer is out of the unraced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Girandola, she is very well-bred being a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and stallion Invader, and the Hong Kong Group 2 winner Not Listenin’tome (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).
Girandola in recent times has left a yearling colt by St Mark’s Basillica (Fr), foaled a Paddington (GB) filly foal last spring and was subsequently left empty.
Privateer was purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $650,000 from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 4, 6.45pm AEDT, Stables Plus Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1400m
Cavalry, 4-year-old gelding (Brutal (NZ) x Tarragon (NZ) {Reliable Man {GB}})
The Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Cavalry (Brutal {NZ}), is set to make his fourth start at Pakenham on Thursday over 1400 metres.
He has run three solid races in his career so far including a tidy third at Hawkesbury back in February, and a fast-finishing third at Seymour back in September. He has since had a break and a couple of jump-outs to prepare for his resuming run.
Cavalry is the second foal from the unraced mare Tarragon (Reliable Man {GB}), who is well related, being a half-sister to the G3 Rotorua Cup winner The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), and the Listed winner Pravana (Anabaa {USA}).
Cavalry as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Further back in the family are the Group 1 winners Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice).
Since producing Cavalry, Tarragon has produced a 3-year-old filly by Farnan and was served by Wild Ruler last spring.
Cavalry was originally a $110,000 purchase by Rhys Smith from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was then a successful pinhook when selling from the Kulani Park draft for NZ$230,000 to Hawkes Racing at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Looking Back:
Aryaam (Snitzel) - Was a brave second at Warwick Farm while Leonessa (Snitzel) disappointed running last in the same race.
Woodrow (Exceed And Excel) - Was scratched from his race at Doomben.
