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.
An exciting group of juveniles are set to contest Friday's G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) and the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) at Caulfield.
Among them is a half-brother to the triple Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock).
Caulfield, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings), $200,000, 1000m
Espinho, 2-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x The Broken Shore {Hussonet {USA}})
Caulfield’s Australia Day meeting on Friday will see the debut of the $950,000 colt Espinho, a son of Yulong’s Written Tycoon, who is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman.
The colt is the seventh foal from the Hussonet (USA) mare, The Broken Shore. She won once, but she has produced the brilliant Shoals (Fastnet Rock) at stud. Shoals was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia, winning three Group 1 races, including the G1 Myer Classic and the G1 Robert Sangster S.
Espinho as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Broken Shore is also the dam of the Listed City of Adelaide H. winner Groundswell (Fastnet Rock).
Espinho was purchased by Yulong, Anthony Freedman Racing, Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) and ARJB Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Caulfield, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), $200,000, 1000m
Bella Corazon, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Notting Hill {Pierro})
Annabel Neasham will debut a daughter of Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible, Bella Corazon, in Friday’s G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) at Caulfield.
Bella Corazon is the first foal from the well-related Pierro mare Notting Hill. She won twice on the track and was a $1.4 million purchase by James Harron Bloodstock and de Burgh Equine at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bella Corazon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Notting Hill is a daughter of Monsoon Wedding (Danehill {USA}), who placed in the G2 Magic Night S. and is from the family of the late, great Redoute’s Choice and the G1 Spring Champion S. victor Platinum Scissors.
Bella Corazon was a $400,000 purchase by Annabel Neasham Racing and Blandford Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Caulfield, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings), $200,000, 1000m
High Octane, 2-year-old colt (Deep Field x Granny Red Shoes {Not A Single Doubt})
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained High Octane (Deep Field) will make his debut on Friday at Caulfield in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings).
The colt is the second foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Granny Red Shoes. She won three races as a juvenile, including the Listed Winning Edge S. and placed in the Listed Calaway Gal S. and the Listed Bill Carter S.
High Octane as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
High Octane’s second dam, Shoboard (Show A Heart), won the Listed Keith Mackay H. as a juvenile.
The colt was a $1,050,000 purchase by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Amoursirra (I Am Invincible) won at Pakenham to give Thursdays selections a boost. However, Dashing Vision (Written Tycoon) was unplaced at Tamworth, while Ex Machina (Shalaa {GB}) finished fourth at Wangaratta.
