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 cover both sides of the Tasman on Thursday, starting at Otaki, where a 2-year-old colt by Almanzor (Fr) debuts for Tony Pike. Then, at Geelong, a well-related Written Tycoon 3-year-old has his first start, before a filly by Zoustar, who is related to a host of stakes winners, makes her debut.
Otaki, Race 3, 11.37am AEDT (1.37pm local) Vets On Riverbank, NZ$40,000, 1100m
Wind Rush (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Almanzor {Fr} x Our Famous Eve {NZ} {Fast ‘N’ Famous}})
Pike Racing paid NZ$170,000 for this colt from the Kilgravin Lodge draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).
He is the third living foal of a three-time winner and Group 3 scorer who is a half-sister to the six-time winner and Listed placegetter Irish Crusader (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Wind Rush (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The colt’s second dam, Expoeve (NZ) (Exploding Prospect {USA}), won over 1600 metres and is a half-sister to the Group 2 victor and Group 2-producing sire King Delamere (NZ).
The Tony Pike-trained Wind Rush (NZ) heads into his debut off the back of a trial win at Te Awamutu on November 13.
Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Ritchie Bros S. 3YO C,G&E Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1240m
Frawley, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Rock Of Fortune {Fastnet Rock})
This colt was offered by his breeder - Kia Ora Stud - at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was knocked down to Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock for $475,000.
Frawley, who is named after the late, great Aussie Rules footballer Danny Frawley, is the seventh living foal of 1000-metre winner and Listed placegetter. Rock Of Fortune is a sister to Alcatraz (Fastnet Rock) - the dam of the Listed winners Kubrick (Shooting To Win) and Bundle Of Fun (Written Tycoon), and a half-sister to the Listed victress Chic Choice (Redoute’s Choice).
Frawley as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The colt is a half-brother to Hard Rock Girl (All Too Hard) - a winner of two races, including a Listed event.
This is an amazing family, one that includes the stakes winners Twiglet (Twig Moss {Fr}), Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}), Easy Rocking and Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor).
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt has the services of Beau Mertens and they will jump from gate two.
Geelong, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Elephant & Castle Hotel 3YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1240m
Zaszou, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Zasorceress {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})
Winton Bloodstock bred this filly, before she was consigned by Kitchwin Hills at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bought by Bennett Racing for $200,000.
Zaszou as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Danny O’Brien-trained Zaszou is the second foal of a two-time winner and Group 3 placegetter who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 victress Lafleur (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) - the dam of the Group 3 scorer Amaryllis (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}) and the Listed winner Papilio (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), and the winless Zygadene (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) - the dam of Listed victress Wildflower (NZ) (Keeper).
Liam Riordan has the ride aboard the filly, who placed third in a Colac trial in October.
Looking Back
On Wednesday, We Can Party (NZ) (Proisir) scored at big odds on debut in Race at 6 Te Aroha, while Newzou (NZ) (Zoustar) was scratched from Race 2 at Sandown-Lakeside.
