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.
For Friday, we hone in on a trio of 3-year-olds that are all on debut. Our day starts at Mornington with a Tosen Stardom (Jpn) colt. We then head to Randwick-Kensington to look at a gelding by Ocean Park (NZ), before going to The Valley, where a son of Impending steps out for Victoria’s leading training duo.
Mornington, Race 4, 2.55pm AEDT, Slocombe Excavations Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Starvaceous, 3-year-old colt (Tosen Stardom {Jpn} x She's Curvaceous {Flying Spur})
Bred by Woodside Park Stud, this colt was consigned to the Cornerstone Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, where First Light Racing/Busuttin Racing/Paul Willetts Bloodstock paid $75,000 for him.
Starvaceous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Starvaceous is a half-brother to three-time Group 3 victor Rich Hips (Written Tycoon), who amassed $556,740 during her 26-start career. The colt is closely related to Group 2 winner Velasco (Flying Spur), Group 3 winner Debellatio (Smart Missile) and Listed victress Devoirs (Dehere {USA}).
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at Cranbourne, Starvaceous will be ridden by Zac Spain and he will be wearing the First Light Racing silks (navy blue, gold and white crescent, gold cap).
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 3.20pm AEDT, Furphy H., $55,000, 1400m
Kureder (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Ocean Park {NZ} x Charmeuse {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
This son of Ocean Park (NZ) was offered by Valachi Downs at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). He was knocked down to Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing for NZ$380,000. Kureder is a brother to Arrogant (NZ), who ran second behind The Autumn Sun in the 2019 G1 Rosehill Guineas.
Kureder (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The Chris Waller-trained gelding is by an unraced half-sister to Listed winner and Group 1 placegetter Savile Row (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), as well as Group 2 winner Needle And Thread (Makfi {GB}).
Another stakes winner on Kureder’s page is Gold Dodger (USA) (Slew O’Gold {USA}), who is a half-sister to G1 victress Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}). Jason Collet takes the ride on Kureder, who has been unplaced in four trials.
The Valley, Race 1, 6.15pm AEDT, Quest Moonee Valley Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Rackermann, 3-year-old gelding (Impending x Catechuchu {Catbird})
This Ben and JD Hayes-trained gelding, who wasn’t offered at public auction, looked good in winning a Benalla trial on November 7.
The gelding is a son of a mare who won five stakes races, including three Group 3s. Rackermann is a half-brother to the Listed placegetter and six-time winner Sir Davy (Street Boss {USA}) and he is also closely related to stakes winners Lucky Witch (Voodoo Rhythm {USA}) and Toy Image (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}).
The gelding hasn’t been trialled publicly but has looked good in a few jump-outs. Craig Williams has been booked for Rackermann’s debut.
Looking Back
On Thursday, Willinga Snazzy (Snitzel) ran fifth in Race 4 at Coffs Harbour, before Devils Where (Shalaa {Ire}) placed third in Race 5. Our runner at Wangaratta - Far Too Long (So You Think {NZ}) - was scratched.
