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 two selections on Sunday come from Bendigo as 2-year-old colt Hell (Hellbent) makes his debut over 1000 metres, while There There (I Am Invincible) makes her first appearance as a 3-year-old.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, bet365 Racing Refund 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Hell, 2-year-old colt (Hellbent x Miss Wonderland {Snitzel})
Having finished sixth on debut, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hell will attempt to build on that performance and get off the mark at the second time of asking at Bendigo on Sunday.
Purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) for $290,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year, the colt is out of the Group 3-placed Miss Wonderland, who is also the dam of three-time winner Daytona (Sebring).
The colt’s third dam is American Listed winner Darling Alice (USA) (Northern Flagship {USA}) and she is the grandam of R. Listed winner Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) as well as G2 Bill Stutt S. winner Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock).
The colt will jump from barrier three with Declan Bates booked to take the ride.
Bendigo, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Workforce Extensions Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
There There, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Diddums {Snitzel})
Having finished second as a 2-year-old on two occasions, There There makes her debut as a 3-year-old when she lines up in barrier 13 with Beau Mertens on her back.
Purchased by her trainers for $350,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021, the daughter of I Am Invincible is out of G3 PJ Bell S. winner Diddums.
There There as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Diddums is a half-sister to Listed-performed gelding Brettan (Commands) and four other winners. Further back this is the same family as Listed-placed pair Moulin Lady (Reset) and Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini {USA})
Looking Back
Never Forgotten (Fastnet Rock) finished fourth at Te Rapa, while Facile (Trapeze Artist) was narrowly defeated into second in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick and our final selection, Godfather (I Am Invincible), made an impressive debut in the Listed Phelan Ready at Eagle Farm.
