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 runners head to Seymour on Thursday in search of a breakthrough. A Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trainee seeks to be third time lucky after two second placings, while a Kiwi mare stretches out in trip after two second place finishes around the mile.
bet365 Seymour, Race 1, 1pm AEST, CUB Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1414m
Keen Observer, 3-year-old colt (Ole Kirk x Eye For Fun {Snitzel})
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young's Keen Observer (Snitzel) has reeled off a pair of close second placings in his first two starts since debuting in July, and the extra furlong in Thursday's race looks to suit. Both runs came on Heavy 9 tracks, so he should have no trouble grinding to the finish at Seymour.
Keen Observer boasts one of Australia's most flourishing families, being a son of Eye For Fun (Snitzel), whose first foal is the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Mossfun (Mossman). She has produced a total of eight winners from her nine runners so far, and has also turned out two further stakes winners in Singapore Champion Sprinter Mawahibb - Aramco (Sing) (Magic Albert) and G3 Auraria Stakes winner Cinch (Dundeel {NZ}).
Keen Observer as a yearling | Image courtesy Inglis
Mossfun is leaving a strong legacy herself, with Group 3-winning son Dajraan and grandson Bodyguard now standing at stud.
Eye For Fun is a half-sister to Listed-winning Cat D'Antibes (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and to Allegra (Dehere {USA}), dam of Listed winners Eximius (Exceed And Excel) and Devan - Hostwin Achilles (Mac) (Deep Field), and granddam of G3 Eurythmic Stakes winner Karli's Karma (Deep Field). Another half-sister Harbour Fun (Harbour Watch {Ire}) is the dam of G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes victress Sassy Boom (Spirit Of Boom).
Keen Observer's trainers paid $200,000 for him at least year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from Fairview Park Stud. Eye For Fun has a Jacquinot colt to sell in 2027 and was covered by Pinatubo (Ire) in November.
bet365 Seymour, Race 4, 2:30pm AEST, Bet Boost Maiden Plate, $42,500, 2021m
Rock Catcher (NZ), 4-year-old mare (Satono Aladdin {JPN} x Rock On Rye {Catcher in the Rye {Ire}})
The Greg Eurell-trained mare Rock Catcher (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {JPN}) will be attempting to break her maiden at start number four after a pair of close second placings on the synthetic. It's a leap up in distance from the 1600 metres of her last start, but she still had a lot more in the tank when crossing the line at Pakenham on August 10.
Rock Catcher's six-time winning dam Rock On Rye (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}) is responsible for six winners from seven to race, headed by G1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Listed placegetter Ryewood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}). Her stakes-performed dam is a half to 13-time winner and Group performer Likable Will (His Royal Highness {NZ}).
Satono Aladdin (Jpn) | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
Through ancestress Celebrity (Fr) (Meadow Court {Ire}), Rock Catcher is related to champion I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), Group 1-winning sire Embellish (NZ), and G1 Livamol Classic winner Savvy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel). Group winners Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun) and Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) also appear in this family.
Rock On Rye most recently produced an unraced 3-year-old called Satono Rock (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) and was served by Almanzor (Fr) last spring.
Looking Back
Unhinged (Snitzel) - Disappointed when fourth by over three and a half lengths behind Tenenbaum (Snitzel).
Piedmont (Pinatubo {Ire}) - Battled fiercely in the home straight to win by a length at Canterbury.
Salamanca Six (So You Think {NZ}) - Facing just two rivals on Bendigo's Heavy 10 track, he emerged the well favoured winner.
