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.
Sunday's key action is at Sale, and this time it is two Kiwi-bred 3-year-olds bidding for a first win. A well-bred Ardrossan filly attempts to break through at start number four, while a blueblooded son of Super Seth seeks to strike on debut.
Sale, Race 2, 1.30pm, AEST, STC Foundation supporting Break a Sweat for Cystic Fibrosis 3YO Mdn Plte, $42,500, 1415m
Pain Au Chocolat (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ardrossan x Genovese (NZ) {Ocean Park {NZ}})
Bred and owned by Waikato Stud's Mark Chittick and trained by Ciaron Maher, Pain Au Chocolat (NZ) (Ardrossan) will be bidding to score a maiden win after three starts for three finishes at fourth place or better. She steps up in distance properly for the first time after two starts this preparation around the 1100-metre mark, which should let her get more in the mix with her speedy final finish that took her from 10th to second by half a length two starts back.
Pain Au Chocolat is the fourh foal out of Genovese (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), a half-sister to a trio of stakes winners in G2 Makybe Diva Stakes winner Vigor (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), dual Group winner Joey Massino (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), and R. Listed Karaka Million winner Vincent Mangano (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}).
Pain Au Chocolat (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Amongst Genovese's half-sisters are stakes producers as well. Dream Lass (NZ) (Dream Well {Fr}) produced G2 Australia Stakes winner Sea Lord (Street Cry {Ire}) and is the second dam of Listed-performed Phillyjean (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), while Diana Dors (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) produced Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel), winner of last spring's Listed CJC Spring Classic.
Genovese has fillies by Super Seth and Banquo to come next, and is in foal to Banquo again this season.
Pain Au Chocolat was retained to race after passing in at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Sale, Race 4, 2.35pm, AEST, SANLAM Private Wealth Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1206m
Lucky General (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Regally Blonde {Royal Academy {USA}})
Carrying the familiar stripes of Pinecliff Racing, Lucky General (NZ) (Super Seth) looks to kick off his career in the hands of Anthony and Sam Freedman after a series of jumpouts. He was third in his most recent effort over 800 metres at Cranbourne, and while he may end up wanting further, the 1200 metres offers a welcoming starting point.
As his mother's name suggests Lucky General is quite regally bred, being a full brother to Listed El Roca Trophy winner and multiple Group placegetter Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth), as well as a half-sister to South African stakes performer Zaakhira (Redoute's Choice), who has since produced black-type offspring in the jurisdiction herself.
Lucky General (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Dam Regally Blonde (Royal Academy {USA}) is a winning half-sister to successful dual hemisphere sire Starspangledbanner and also to Gold Chant (El Moxie {USA}), stakes-performed dam of G1 One Thousand Guineas winner Amicus (Fastnet Rock) and Listed Valley Pearl Stakes winner Cheer Leader (Snitzel). Amicus has been a stakes producer in both hemispheres too, with G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Okita Soushi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Gallinule Stakes winner Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Another half-sister Mousai (Fastnet Rock) is the dam of Listed winner Garza Blanca (I Am Invincible), plus G1 Australasian Oaks third Polymnia (Dundeel {NZ}) and Listed Morphettville Guineas runner-up Easy Dun (Dundeel {NZ}).
Regally Blonde has had two further offspring by Super Seth since Lucky Country and anticipates a third by the sire this spring.
Anthony and Sam Freedman paid $575,000 for Lucky Country in partnership with Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds.
Looking Back
Genesis Runner (Gun Runner {USA}) - Ran a good race in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality to finish fourth behind Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}).
Somethings Burnin' (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - Finished off well when running third to Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) in the Listed Michael Moroney.
Fovea (Farnan) - Impressive two and a half-length winner at Kembla Grange.
