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.
Our Looking Ahead selections for Friday are all 3-year-olds and all are on debut. At Gosford, we have a nice Russian Revolution gelding for Mark Newnham and a well-related Shalaa (Ire) filly for Annabel Neasham. We finish the day with a Kris Lees-trained Pierro gelding at Taree.
Gosford, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Skillion Pools Mdn H., $40,000, 1000m
Troika, 3-year-old gelding (Russian Revolution x Novel Dancer {Written Tycoon})
Sledmere Stud bred this gelding and offered him at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, where he was bought by Laurel Oak Bloodstock for $150,000.
From a two-time-winning mare, Troika is a half-sister to dual Listed winner Pancho (Dissident). His second dam, Strata Title (Strategic), placed twice at Listed level, while his fourth dam, Rockettes (Lord Seymour {Ire}), was a Listed winner.
The Mark Newnham-trained galloper won a Warwick Farm trial on August 15 and will be ridden by Josh Parr.
Gosford, Race 3, 1.55pm AEST, LCD Debt Solutions Pools Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Eagle Nest, 3-year-old filly (Shalaa {Ire} x Rough Ride {Flying Spur}})
This filly was bred by Segenhoe Stud, who offered her at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She was purchased by IRON / George Moore Bloodstock for $450,000.
Eagle Nest as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Eagle Nest is a half-sister to last year’s G3 Black Opal S. winner Kalashnikov (Capitalist). The filly’s dam, Rough Ride, won twice and is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready {USA}), Listed victress Assertive Eagle (Danewin), Listed winner Impressive Eagle (Rubiton) and Listed victress Soaressa (Twining {USA}). Soaressa has thrown Group 3 winner Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) and Listed winner Forever Free (Exceed And Excel).
The Annabel Neasham-trained filly has had four trials ahead of her debut, where she will be handled by Chad Schofield.
Taree, Race 3, 1.40pm AEST, Hogan Plumbing Group CG&E Mdn H., $25,000, 1250m
Gripping, 3-year-old gelding (Pierro x Sacred Eye {High Chaparral {Ire}})
Kris Lees trains this 3-year-old, who is a son of a Group 3-winning mare. She herself is a half-sister to dual Group 3 victress Tulip (Pierro) and Group 3 placegetter Sikorsky (Pierro). Second dam, Musidora (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) won the G3 The Vanity in 2008.
Among the ownership group in Gripping is Rupert Legh, and jockey Andrew Gibbons will be wearing his registered silks.
Gripping as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Gripping has been to the trials on three occasions and won over 1000 metres at Muswellbrook on July 21.
Bred by Emmaroo Bloodstock, he was a member of the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Lees Racing / Tasman Bloodstock went to $140,000 to secure his purchase.
Looking Back
Seventies Hit (Your Song) made a nice debut, finishing second at Wagga. At Bendigo, Planned (Kermadec {NZ}) was unplaced, while Shipstern (Extreme Choice) was scratched.
