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 racing on Thursday, we travel far and wide, starting in New Zealand. Our first runner in focus is a Turn Me Loose (NZ) filly debuting for Mike Breslin. We then head to Bendigo, where a beautifully bred juvenile colt lines up for his first start. We finish up at Kembla Grange with a $200,000 yearling colt by U S Navy Flag (USA).
Awapuni Synthetic, Race 1, 11.02am AEST (1.02pm local), Martin Collins NZ 1400, NZ$14,000, 1400m
Sonali (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Turn Me Loose {NZ} x Madamoiselle {NZ} {Savabeel})
This filly was bred by Fairdale and Goodwood Studs and wasn’t offered at a public auction.
Sonali (NZ) is from a 1600-metre winner in New Zealand who is a half-sister to the stakes performer What’s The Story (NZ) (Savabeel) and a half-sister to the dual Listed winner All In Vogue (NZ) (Pins).
Turn Me Loose (NZ) | Standing at Winsor Park Stud
The filly’s grandam, Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), was an absolute star; she won 11 races, including three in top company.
The Mike Breslin-trained filly will be ridden by Bridget Grylls.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Silks Events & Functions 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Ablett, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Avenue {Anabaa {USA}})
Bred by Boutique Thoroughbreds, this colt was consigned by Ridgmont Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. There, he was bought by Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock for $420,000.
Ablett is the eighth foal of an eight-time winner who won seven stakes races (four of them at Group 3 level). Avenue is a sister to the speedy filly-mare Virage De Fortune (Anabaa {USA}) - a two-time Group 1 victress, a three-quarter sister to the Group 3 scorer Slapstick (Anabaa {USA}), and a half-sister to the stakes performer Glasnost (Red Ransom {USA}).
Ablett as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other close relations include the two-time Group 1 hero Railings (Zabeel {NZ}) and the Group 2 winners Magneto (Scenic {Ire}) and Royal Pardon (NZ).
The Peter Moody-trained colt finished last in a Wagga trial in November.
Beau Mertens has the mount.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 2.10pm AEST, Dapto Creek 2YO Mdn H., $40,000, 1300m
Long Genes, 2-year-old colt (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Fanatic {NZ} {Shocking})
Bloodstock Resources bred this colt and he was offered by Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to Myrtle House for $200,000.
Long Genes is the second foal of a brilliant filly/mare who won six races, including the 2016 G1 New Zealand Oaks.
Long Genes as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The colt’s second dam, Komplete Klass (NZ) (Groom Dancer {USA}), won two races and is a half-sister to the Listed scorer Absolutely (NZ) (Coats Choice) and the stakes performer Komplete Kaos (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}). The latter has produced the Group 1 winner Rockdale (NZ) (Danroad).
The Edward Cummings-trained colt, who has been unplaced in four trials, will be handled by Kerrin McEvoy.
Looking Back
Things didn’t exactly our way on Wednesday; 2-year-old colt Les Vampires (Pierro), who was sent out a warm favourite, was turned over in Race 1 at Canterbury (he finished third) while Fang It (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) and Alacrity (Hellbent) were both unplaced in Race 1 at Sandown-Hillside.
