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 nicely-bred types by Capitalist and Wootton Bassett (GB) chase success at Wyong on Thursday.
Wyong, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Wyong Leagues Group Provincial Class 1 Handicap, $45,000, 1350m
Mercantilist, 4-year-old mare (Capitalist x Angel’s Choice {Redoute’s Choice})
Mercantilist, a daughter of Capitalist, will be chasing her second win at start number four on her home track for trainer Nacim Dilmi on Thursday. She was an impressive winner on debut as a 3-year-old and subsequently ran two honest fourths. Since then she has had a long break and has trialled twice at Wrong to prepare for her resuming run as a late 4-year-old.
The sharply-bred mare is the fourth foal from the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Angel’s Choice. She has left three winners in total including the three-time winner Milliondollarmumma (Capitalist).
Mercantilist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Angel’s Choice is very well-related being a full sister to the dual Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice) and a three-quarter-sister to the dual Group 3 winner and stallion Pariah.
Angel’s Choice since producing Mercantilist, has left a 3-year-old filly named Vinnie’s Angel (I Am Invincible), a yearling colt by Home Affairs and she was most recently served by Private Life last December.
Mercantilist was a $420,000 purchase by Domeland Pty Ltd from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Wyong, Race 4, 2,10pm AEST, Club Terrigal 2YO Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1300m
Sardar, 2-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sahra {Hinchinbrook})
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Sardar (Wootton Bassett {GB}) chases maiden success at start number two at Wyong on Thursday. The promising colt ran a strong second at Newcastle on debut on July 11 and looks well-placed to feature in this 2-year-old Handicap over 1300 metres.
Sardar is the first foal out of the three-time winning Hinchinbrook mare Sahra. Sahra is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Margham (Encosta De Lago) who is the dam of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (c&g) and Listed Queensland Day Plate winner Mohave (Exceed And Excel).
Wootton Bassett | Standing at Coolmore Stud
This is also the extended family of the tough and durable New Zealand galloper Millennium (NZ) (Prized {USA}) who won 14 times including at Group 2 level twice and Group 3-level three times as well as being multiple times Group 1-placed.
Sahra, in recent times has produced a weanling colt by Home Affairs, and is due to foal again to the exciting young stallion in September.
Sardar was purchased for $150,000 by D Scott from the Fairhill Farm draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Looking Back:
Saludar (Written Tycoon) - Was a touch disappointing running fifth at Sandown.
Lady Moscato (Home Affairs) - Failed to fire at Sandown running sixth.
Circus Lights (Trapeze Artist) - Ran a strong second at Sandown at her first attempt outside maiden company.
