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 will aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, we head to Bendigo, where a well-performed Not A Single Doubt filly resumes, an internationally bred son of Teofilo (Ire) looks to break his maiden and an Alpine Eagle half-brother to a Group 3 winner makes his first appearance.
Bendigo, Race 2, 1.30pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda 3YO BM64 H., $35,000, 1000m
Flying Evelyn (Not A Single Doubt) resumes after a very successful first campaign which saw her win on debut at The Valley and then finish second in a Group 3 race at Flemington. She looked pretty sharp in a recent Cranbourne trial and this appears an ideal launching point for her spring campaign.
Flying Evelyn as a yearling
She was a $500,000 buy for John Sadler Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with her breeders at Arrowfield Stud remaining in the ownership. Her dam, Champagne Run (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) has produced four winners, including the Group 3 placegetter Cristal Eyes (All Too Hard). Champagne Run is a three-quarter sister to G1 VRC Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}) and a half-sister to Group/Grade 2 winners Villermont and Fresian Fire (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}). Her second dam, Bollinger (Dehere {USA}), won a G1 Coolmore Classic.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Bendigo Skin Clinic Mdn, $35,000, 1600m
An €85,000 (AU$138,760) purchase from the 2019 Arqana October Yearling Sale, El Campeon (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}) made his debut for Danny O'Brien at Sale last month and performed with credit, finishing third, beaten less than 1l. The step up to 1600 metres in this contest looks entirely suitable.
Teofilo (Ire), sire of El Campeon (Fr) | Standing at Darley
The 4-year-old son of Teofilo (Ire) is from a very successful European family with his dam, Colonialiste (Ire) (Lord Of England {Ger}) a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) as well as stakes winner Soudania (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The extended family includes a trio of German Derby winners in Schiaparelli (Ger), Samum (Ger) and Sea The Moon (Ger).
Bendigo, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Bendigo Locksmiths Mdn, $35,000, 1400m
Matt Laurie presents Alpine Aviator (Alpine Eagle) for his first start. He worked home quite well in a 900-metre jump-out at Caulfield, giving every indication he is the type of horse who will appreciate kicking things off at 1400 metres.
Alpine Aviator as a yearling
His pedigree backs that up, being a half-brother to G3 Hobart Cup winner Double You Tee (Written Tycoon) and stakes-placegetter and four-time winner Lunakorn (Puissance De Lune {Ire}). His dam, Kandy Korn (Flying Spur), is a half-sister to stakes winner Baby Corn (Exceed And Excel) and a daughter of Group 3 winner Sweet Corn (Scenic {Ire}). His Armidale Stud-based sire Alpine Eagle has produced two winners to date, with his oldest progeny having just turned three.
Alpine Aviator was passed in at the 2020 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale and ended up being sold privately.
Looking Back
Thursday's racing results didn't quite evolve as we envisaged, but Velours Bleu (Nicconi) did run a close third in the first race at Warrnambool.
California Zim Zim (Astern) led up on debut at Hawkesbury but faded to finish seventh, although only 1.8l from the winner, while Rockierro (Pierro) sat just off the pace but faded in his first race.
