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.
On Friday, Scone takes centre stage with Gary Portelli presenting a recent 2-year-old trial winner against the older horses, while Kris Lees has a promising son of Super One in the $200,000 2YO Challenge. Meanwhile at Geelong, a half-sister to a Group 1 winner makes her first appearance for Tony and Calvin McEvoy,
Scone, Race 2, 12.55pm AEST, Stable Wizard Mdn, $40,000, 1000m
Walkin'talkin' (I'm All The Talk) steps out for his debut for Gary Portelli against the older horses after impressing in a recent barrier trial at Hawkesbury. He sat outside the pace there and gave a good kick for home to win by a clear margin in the manner of a horse who could make quick progress through his classes.
Walkin'talkin' as a yearling
While I'm All The Talk is based in Western Australia, Portelli should know the breed well, having trained the horse himself for the same connections, Elite Thoroughbreds, which purchased Walkin'talkin' through the 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $45,000.
He is out of the stakes-winning mare Scuffs (Speed Week), who hails from the family of some quality WA-bred gallopers, including Group 1 winners Hold That Smile (Haulpak) and Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) as well as Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter Vital Silver (Wanted).
Geelong, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, Coulter Roache 2YO Mdn, $23,000, 1225m
Six Senses (So You Think {NZ}) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), who goes through the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Their dam, Zighy Bay (USA) (Tapit {USA}), is a three-quarter sister to multiple stakes winner Sacristy (USA) (Pulpit {USA}) and half-sister to Group 1-winning Japanese sprinter Mozu Superflare (USA) (Speightstown {USA}).
Six Senses as a yearling
Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Racing paid $280,000 for her at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She had a recent jumpout for Tony and Calvyn McEvoy in the Glentree Racing colours in the fog at Burrumbeet and performed well, railing well and fighting on to win.
Scone, Race 3, 1.35pm AEST, Inglis 2YO Challenge, $200,000, 1100m
The Kris Lees-trained I Want One (Super One) looked very professional in winning a recent Newcastle trial in the Australian Bloodstock colours, jumping well, sitting on the pace and then surging clear to win by a good margin. He has clearly been aimed at this $200,000 race for his first start.
I Want One as a yearling
He was a $26,000 purchase from the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale last year and is a half-brother to a horse this column naturally has a bit of time for, in the stakes-placed Looking Ahead (Consolidator {USA}). Their dam, I Want You (NZ) (Howbaddoyouwantit {USA}) is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Due Diligence (NZ) (Danasinga) and Listed Singapore Derby winner Dreyfuss (NZ) (Oregon {USA}).
