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 progressive 3-year-olds by Anders and Grunt (NZ) chase maiden success at Sale on Sunday.
Sale, Race 1, 12.45pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Promotions Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1100m
Ulfberht, 3-year-old gelding (Anders x En Aval {Toorak Toff})
The Robbie Griffiths-trained Ulfberht (Anders) chases maiden success at start number two at Sale on Sunday over 1100 metres. The half-brother to the R. Listed Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Classic winner Unit Five (Supido) ran a brave second at Sale last month and looks a good chance to go one better on Sunday.
Ulfberht is the first foal out of En Aval (Toorak Toff), who descends from the family of Group 2 winner and Group 1-performed Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt), dam of the talented My Gladiola (I Am Invincible).
Ulfberht as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Since producing Ulfberht and Unit Five, En Aval delivered a full brother to Ulfberht who was sold to Cumani Racing for $200,000 at this year's Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She has a weanling filly by Exceedance and missed to Schwarz last spring.
Griffiths De Kock Racing and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) paid $300,000 for Ulfberht at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Widden Stud.
Sale, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT, Laurels Function Centre - Book Now 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1200m
Posh Diamante, 3-year-old gelding (Grunt (NZ) x Posh Rock {Fastnet Rock})
The promising Phillip Stokes-trained Posh Diamante (Grunt {NZ}) chases maiden success at Sale on Sunday. She has been a consistent performer in her career so far and is due a winning turn.
Grunt (NZ) | Standing at Yulong Stud
Posh Diamante is the fourth live-foal out of the Fastnet Rock mare Posh Rock, who was a winner over 1400 metres. She is well-related being a full-sister to the dual Group 3 and multiple Group 1-placed We’re Gonna Rock (Fastnet Rock) and the 17-time winner The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock), who twice won at Listed level and was Group-1 placed.
This is the extended family of Group 1 winners Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA}), Porto Roca (Barathea {Ire}) and Monterosso (GB).
Posh Rock, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly by Tagaloa, and has not been served since.
Looking Back:
Tenenbaum (Snitzel) - Disappointed running fourth as a hot favourite at Hawkesbury.
The Next Episode (Snitzel) - Exciting winner who made it look easy at Eagle Farm.
Gold Cup (NZ) (Super Seth) - Brave when running second by half a length, just ran into a smarter one at Newcastle.
