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.
A lovely filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) with a big pedigree opens the batting for us on Thursday. The 2-year-old debuts in the opener at Geelong. Then, in Race 2, a colt that is closely related to a Group 1 victress has his first start. We round out the day at Gosford with a well-related Deep Field colt.
Geelong, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Wilsons Real Estate 2YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Climate Change, 2-year old filly (Too Darn Hot {GB} x Broadband {Sebring})
This filly is a homebred for prominent breeder Peter Horwitz.
Out of a Group 3 victress, Climate Change is a half-sister to the Group 3 placegetter Drisana (Merchant Navy).
The filly is closely related to the Group 1 heroine Anamato (Redoute’s Choice) and she is the dam of the brilliant Anamoe, who notched nine wins in top company, and now stands at Darley Kelvinside.
Climate Change as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other stakes winners Climate Change’s page include Mearas, Drum (Marauding {NZ}) and Port Watch (Star Watch).
Trained by Shane Nichols, the filly will be partnered on debut by Zac Spain.
Geelong, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Adam Bird Electrics Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1100m
Melidesh, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Lubiton {Snitzel})
This colt was offered by his breeder - Longwood Thoroughbred Farm - at the 2002 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was passed in.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Melidesh is the second foal from a five-time winner who scored in Group 3 company.
The colt’s third dam Camino Rose (Sea Rose) won nine races including the G1 Coolmore Classic in 1999.
Melidesh as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Twitchy Frank (Frankel {GB}) - a seven-time winner and Group 2 victress - also features prominently on Melidesh’s page.
The colt, who was unplaced in a Cranbourne trial on August 7, debuts in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Gosford, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Consolidated Panels & Veneers Super Mdn Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Life Of Stone, 3-year-old colt (Deep Field x Excess Love {Exceed And Excel})
Love Racing bred this colt before Ohukia Lodge bought him for $175,000 from the Newgate Farm draft him at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Ohukia Lodge then offered him at the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, where Solari Bloodstock went to $260,0000 to secure him.
The colt is from a winless half-sister to the Listed scorer Nomothaj (Snitzel).
Life Of Stone as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Life Of Stone’s grandam, Real Stolle (Elusive Quality {USA}), won the G3 Maribyrnong Plate in 2011.
This is also the family of the 14-time winner and Listed victor Chattanooga (Scenic {Ire}) and the elite-level hero Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}).
The Kristen Buchanan-trained colt, who placed in the first three at his past two trials, will be ridden on debut by Koby Jennings.
Looking Back
At Ipswich, 2-year-old gelding Rhumb Line (Zousain) was third in Race 1, while at Sandown-Lakeside, Justaboom (Justify {USA}) placed third in Race 2. Melidesh (I Am Invincible) was scratched.
