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 Thursday at Hawkesbury, we look at a well-related Team Hawkes gelding, and another gelding at Albury with a strong female page. At Ipswich, we give some love to a debut gelding whose dam boasts strong credentials.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Arrowfield Stud CG&E Mdn, $35,000, 1100m
Givara, 3-year-old gelding (All Too Hard x Renascent {Domesday})
This gelding is trained by the Hawkes team at Rosehill, and he debuted earlier this month in a 1200-metre sprint at Newcastle, finishing second. That was on a Heavy track, so he might fare one better in this over a Soft surface with race experience behind him.
Givara was initially consigned by Widden Stud to sell at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, but he was withdrawn.
Givara as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
He is a son of the broodmare Renascent, who is a half-sister to the G2 Shannon S. and G3 Moonga S. winner Vashka (Exceed And Excel). The gelding himself is a half-brother to the Listed Testa Rossa S. winner Renewal (Dream Ahead {USA}), and this is also the family of the very useful New Zealand Group 1 winner Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Albury, Race 4, 3.25pm AEDT, Meredith Roof Plumbing Mdn, $30,000, 1400m
I Am Richenuff, 3-year-old gelding (Rich Enuff x Glory Be {Royal Academy {USA}})
This unraced gelding for Wagga trainer Darrell Burnet has been very good in two trials, coming second and first this preparation. He’s the only maiden in this field, but his two trials were collectively won by nearly 5l, so he has plenty of ability.
I Am Richenuff was picked up by Kendrick Racing at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, sold by David Toole’s Kambula Stud operation.
I Am Richenuff as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The gelding is from the Royal Academy (USA) mare Glory Be, who was Group placed, but her significance comes as a daughter of So Elated (Vain) and, as such, she is a half-sister to three stakes winners, namely the four-time Group winner Excited Angel (Don’t Say Halo {USA}), plus Prayerful (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) and Typhoon (Last Tycoon {Ire}).
Ipswich, Race 1, 2.35pm AEDT (1.34pm local), Follow @Ipswichturfclub QTIS 3YO Mdn, $26,000, 800m
Project Paperclip, 3-year-old gelding (Star Witness x Safety Pin {NZ} {Pins})
This unraced gelding for Eagle Farm trainers Peter and Will Hulbert had a preparation last winter before re-emerging in a Doomben trial last week to finish third. He’s one of four debutants in this race, so he’s not out of his depth, although he is carrying top weight of 59kg from barrier seven.
Project Paperclip is from the Pins mare Safety Pin (NZ), who is a half-sister to two stakes winners. The more significant of those is Costume (NZ) (Savabeel), a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand. The other, Masquerade (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), won at Listed level, while a third, Masque (NZ) (Savabeel), was stakes placed.
Project Paperclip as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Project Paperclip was purchased at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Widden Stud by Symphony Lodge and David Raphael. He cost $50,000, and he was later sold again for $47,500 at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale to Rathosheen Bloodstock.
Looking Back
Our Looking Ahead selections for Wednesday fared pretty well. At Warwick Farm, Basquait (Snitzel) was second while at Eagle Farm, Hang Five (Astern) was a winner. At Sandown, Hollywood Park (American Pharoah {USA}) was unplaced.
