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 3-year-olds by Snitzel chase maiden success at Mornington on Sunday.
Mornington, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, The Big Screen Company F&M Maiden Plate, $32,000, 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 Mornington on Sunday over 1200 metres. The beautifully bred filly has mixed her form but on her day looks capable of getting that elusive victory.
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}).
Privateer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
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.
Mornington, Race 4, 2.55pm AEDT, IDS Security Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1000m
Alcaraz, 3-year-old gelding (Snitzel x Serenada {Encosta De Lago})
The Mark Walker-trained Alcaraz (Snitzel) chases maiden success on debut at Mornington on Sunday over 1000 metres. He has looked handy enough at the trials and jump-outs and Lachlan Neindorf jumps aboard.
The well-bred gelding is out of the four-time winner Serenada (Encosta De Lago) who has already left the G3 Canonbury Stakes winner McLaren (Exceed And Excel) and the seven-time winner and Group-placed Cao Cao - First Chief (Sing.) (Fatsnet Rock).
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Serenada is also a half-sister to the Group 2 winning sprinters First Command (Commands) and Oneworld (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Serenada, since producing Alcaraz, has left a 2-year-old colt named Ordeal (Dundeel {NZ}), a weanling filly by Russian Revolution, and was served by Bivouac last season.
Alcaraz was passed in short of his reserve at both the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale and the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale.
Looking Back:
Blue Door (Stay Inside) was brilliant winning on debut at Group 3 level, while The Next Episode (Snitzel) ran a great race for second in the same race after missing the kick.
Aurum Belle (Snitzel) won the G3 Gimcrack Stakes in Perth.
