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.
Saturday will see the debut of three well-related juveniles across Australia.
Sandown-Hillside, Race 1, 11.50am AEST, Ladbrokes Racing Club H., $150,000, 1000m
Gunship, 2-year-old gelding (Russian Revolution x Catchulata {Charge Forward})
The training partnership of Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes will debut a son of Russian Revolution, Gunship, at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
The gelding is the second foal from the Charge Forward mare Catchulata. She was a race winner and three-quarter sister to the outstanding Response (Charge Forward). Response was a dual Group 1 winner of the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and the G1 Robert Sangster S.
At stud Response has proven equally effective; she is the dam of the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab (Snitzel).
Gunship as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Furthermore, Response is the dam of the G2 Run to the Rose placegetter Remarque (Snitzel) and the Listed-placed Alter Call (Fastnet Rock).
Gunship was a $220,000 yearling purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Randwick, Race 1, 11am AEST, Robrick Lodge H., $150,000, 1100m
Royal Tribute, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Jennifer Lynnette {Can} {Elusive Quality {USA}})
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will debut a son of the Champion Sire Snitzel, Royal Tribute, at Randwick on Saturday.
Royal Tribute is the first foal from the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Jennifer Lynnette (Can). She was a four-time winner, including the G3 Royal North S. at Woodbine in Canada; Jennifer Lynnette was also placed in the Listed License Fee S. at Belmont in North America.
Royal Tribute as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Jennifer Lynnette is the dam of Strategic Maneuver (USA) (Cryptoclearance {USA}). Strategic Maneuver was an outstanding galloper winning the G1 Spinaway S. at Saratoga and the G1 Matron S. at Belmont.
Royal Tribute was a $500,000 yearling purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Kia Ora Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 3, 1.05pm AEST, Lisa Steel Memorial Midway 2YO Mdn H., $45,000, 1200m
Montgomery, 2-year-old colt (Prized Icon x Agueda {General Nediym})
Randwick-based trainer John Thompson will debut a son of Prized Icon, Montgomery, at Newcastle on Saturday.
Montgomery is the sixth foal from General Nediym mare Agueda. She was placed multiple times at stakes level, including in the G3 Kindergarten S. and Listed Cap d’Antibes S.
Montgomery hails from the family of Who Did It (Mukaddamah {USA}), a winner of the G3 Belmont Sprint, Listed Carbine Club S. and Listed St Leger amongst his 16 victories.
Montgomery as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The colt is from the first crop of the Kooringal Stud-based Prized Icon, a winner of the G1 Champagne S. and the G1 VRC Derby. Prized Icon has only had three runners and is searching for his first win as a sire.
Montgomery was a $145,000 yearling purchase by DGR Thoroughbred Services (FBAA) and John Thompson Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm from the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Perdition (Hellbent) fared best of our selections on Friday when he was placed at Swan Hill. While Battle Fleet (Starspangledbanner) was unplaced at the same venue.
