Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Today, we’re keen on the chances on the Kensington track of a well-related youngster on debut and a runaway last-start winner, who looks ready for a sterner test. At Caulfield, we like the chances of a lightly-tried 3-year-old who has already run well in strong company.
Kensington, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Schweppes H., $125,000, 1150m
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Jet Pack (Fastnet Rock) was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Bhima Thoroughbreds and was knocked down to the China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Stonestreet for $325,000. He is a brother to the G3 Southern Cross S. winner Kaepernick with their dam the Listed Dequetteville S. winner Volcada (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Jet Pack pictured as a yearling
Volcada is out of a half-sister to the G1 Doomben Hundred Thousand winner and sire Ideal Planet and the family of the G1 Sangster S. winner Spright (Hinchinbrook). Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Jet Pack has trialled well ahead of his debut and can make an impact from a handy barrier.
Kensington, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Precise Air H., $125,000, 1300m
Never Never River (Written Tycoon) was a trial winner at Rosehill before he resumed last month at Canterbury where he won in a canter. The 3-year-old is sure to have derived benefit from that outing and while he is up in class, he looks more than capable of meeting the challenge.
Never Never River pictured as a yearling
Prepared by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Never Never River was offered by breeder Woodside Park Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Sun Bloodstock for $130,000. He is out of the Econsul (NZ) mare Best Yet To Come, who was successful in the Listed Princess S. and is a half-sister to the multiple winner and G3 Mannerism S. runner-up Simply Put (Charge Forward).
Caulfield, Race 6, 4pm AEDT, Erin Coldham H., $135,000, 1100m
Zion (NZ) (Rubick) was put away after one juvenile appearance and returned to post a strong win at Bendigo. He then took on a competitive age group line-up at Flemington where he hit the line strongly for a close third behind the unbeaten Written Miss (Written Tycoon) and looks open to further improvement.
Watch: Zion as a yearling
Bred by Chittick Investments, Zion was sold by Waikato Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Suman Hedge Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing for NZ$360,000. He is the first foal of Kim Dynasty (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Arlingtonboulevard (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}) and to the Listed Scottsville Scarlet Lady H. winner Europe To Africa (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
