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.
We go metro racing on Friday, starting at Canterbury, where a lovely ‘Vinnie’ filly debuts for Team Hawkes, before a well-related daughter of Trapeze Artist has her first start. We finish at The Valley with a close relation to this year’s G1 Thousand Guineas winner.
Canterbury, Race 1, 6pm AEDT, Bivouac First Yearlings H., $60,000, 1100m
Iced Chocolate, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Unequivocal {Not A Single Doubt})
This filly was bred by Fernrigg Farm, who sold her to MB Bloodstock and Heran Racing for $400,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Iced Chocolate is from a three-time winner and multiple stakes placegetter.
Unequivocal has produced Maroon Magic (I Am Invincible) - a winner of a Grafton maiden on debut.
Iced Chocolate as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is closely related to the stakes performers Pull No Punches (Elvstroem) and Fearless Gun (Bite The Bullet {USA}).
Both barrier trials in preparation for her debut indicate Iced Chocolate has plenty of ability. She won a Rosehill heat last month under Tyler Schiller and he rides her here.
Canterbury, Race 3, 7pm AEDT, The Agency Real Estate Plate, $60,000, 1250m
Concello, 3-year-old filly (Trapeze Artist x Senta Helga {Encosta De Lago})
This Senga Bissett an Co.-bred filly was consigned by Ashleigh Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was knocked down to Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $210,000.
The Chris Waller-trained Concello is out of a two-time winner who is a sister to the Listed scorer, Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer of 2011/12, Liberator. Senta Helga is also a sister to the stakes performer Pink Siris - the dam of the Group 2 victress Etana (Shamus Award), and the three-time winner Miss Hufflepuff - the dam of the Listed scorer Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun).
Concello as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly’s grandam, Miss Helga (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), won a Listed race at two.
Unplaced in three trials, Concello debuts in the hands of Regan Bayliss.
The Valley, Race 4, 7.45pm AEDT, Fisher Brothers Electrical Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Bay Of Zea, 3-year-old filly (Shalaa {Ire} x Zara Bay {Fastnet Rock})
Segenhoe Stud offered this filly, who was bred by Chris Barham, at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Two Bays Farm went to $420,000 to secure her.
The Howley-trained Bay Of Zea is closely related to last week’s G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Joliestar (Zoustar).
Bay Of Zea as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bay Of Zea’s dam won twice and was placed in Listed company. She herself is a half-sister to the elite-level winner and Group 1-producing sire Merchant Navy, as well as the Group 2 victress Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock), and the Listed scorer Setanta (Fastnet Rock).
Other stakes winners in this incredible family include Legally Bay (Snippets) Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice) and Paulele.
Harry Coffey will partner the filly on debut.
Looking Back
At Hawkesbury, Mateo (Russian Revolution) was unplaced on debut. Then, at Ballarat, 2-year-old filly Lovey (Spirit Of Boom) ran fourth at her first start in Race 1, before Sistine Tunnel (Deep Field) debuted with a second in Race 2.
