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, we will get underway in the opening event at Flemington with a well-related Suman Hedge Bloodstock-owned debutant before looking at the first race at Canterbury for a progressive son of Headwater.
We will round out in the second event at Canterbury with a filly from the family of The Everest winner Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt).
Flemington, Race 1, 3pm AEDT, Eynesbury Golf Mdn Plate, $50,000, 1000m
Elite Icon, 3-year-old gelding (Nicconi x Elite Ateates {Exceed And Excel})
Expect the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Elite Icon to go close here on debut after winning both jump-outs to date. Jye McNeil has been booked to ride the 3-year-old and the only query is how he handles the straight first time.
A $160,000 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase by Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) via the draft of Dawson Stud, Elite Icon is a half-brother to G1 Winterbottom S. hero Elite Street (Street Boss {USA}).
Elite Icon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The duo’s five-time winning dam Elite Ateates is out of the four-time Group 2 winner Ateates (Zedative), a sister to G1 Newmarket H. winner Ruffles.
G2 Queensland Guineas winner True Glo (Brief Truce) features alongside recently retired G2 Missile S. winner Phobetor (Dream Ahead {USA}) in this family.
Canterbury, Race 1, 6.15pm AEDT, Vinery H., $50,000, 1250m
Destiny’s Bounty, 3-year-old gelding (Headwater x Pretty Belle {Lonhro})
The John O’Shea-trained Destiny’s Bounty looks set to break his maiden status after two second-placings from as many starts to date.
On debut he was beaten 0.3l on a Heavy Gosford surface by the Group-performed Overlord (Sebring) before backing that up with another gutsy performance at Warwick Farm’s midweek meeting.
Destiny’s Bounty will be partnered by Kerrin McEvoy and should get all the favours up on speed thanks to a soft draw, barrier four of eight.
Headwater | Standing at Vinery Stud
Bred and retained by his breeders the Conners family, Destiny’s Bounty is out of the unraced Pretty Belle. Pretty Belle is out of G3 Inglis Premier Sale S. winner Party Time (Bletchingly), making her a half-sister to the dual Group 3-placed Flash Bash (Vettori {Ire}) and the Listed-placed Mega Me (Danewin).
Pretty Belle’s third dam Lanyard (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) was victorious in the Listed James HB Carr S. and placed in the G2 Surround S. and the G2 Phar Lap S.
Canterbury, Race 2, 6.45pm AEDT, Buy Better At Inglis H., $50,000, 1250m
Po Kare Kare (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Suadela {Encosta De Lago})
The Bryce Heys-trained Po Kare Kare (NZ) presents as one of the major players here after finishing 1l third behind classy Godolphin filly Trifaccia (I Am Invincible) on debut at Warwick Farm.
Expect her to take great improvement from that run and prove hard to hold out with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.
A NZ$100,000 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale purchase by Ellerslie Lodge from the draft of Curraghmore, Po Kare Kare is out of dual winner Suadela.
Po Kare Kare (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Suadela is out of a half-sister to the G2 Magic Night S. winner Mardi’s Magic (Kenny's Best Pal), the dam of the Listed-placed Cruz Ramirez (Myboycharlie {Ire}).
The Everest hero Classique Legend and his Group 2-winning half-brother Aethero (Sebring) feature alongside four-time Group 1 winner Racing To Win (Encosta De Lago) in this family.
Looking Back
Our first selection The Big Heist (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) failed to figure in the numbers on debut, finishing fifth in the third event at Warrnambool.
Our second selection Shalily (Shalaa {Ire}) was heavily supported late but could only manage fourth in the second event at Pakenham while our final selection Octha (All Too Hard) didn't measure up on debut finishing outside of the placings in the following race.
