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 Friday, we start in the country, before finishing in town. At Werribee, a half-sister to the Listed winner Zouzarella (Zoustar) debuts for Liam Howley. Then, at Bathurst, a filly from the famed Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}) family steps out for breeder-owner Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm. Our final runner is a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock).
Werribee, Race 1, 12.45pm AEDT, CorCordis Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1114m
Elegancia, 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Zazparella {Al Maher})
Offered by Sullivan Bloodstock, Liam Howley Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) bought this filly for $320,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
She is from a six-time winner who is a sister to the stakes performer Almachino (Al Maher), and a half-sister to the stakes performer Lets Get Nauti Gal (Harbour Watch (Ire}).
Elegancia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Elegancia is a half-sister to the Listed victress Zouzarella.
Other stakes winners on the filly’s page include Zabarella (Ity) (Clouet {Ity}) and Zampieri (GB) (Canisbay {GB}).
The Liam Howley-trained debutante will be handled by Billy Egan.
Bathurst, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Gayna Williams Tribute Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m
Flyin’ The Pin, 3-year-old filly (Deep Field x Ultimata {NZ} {Zabeel {NZ}})
A homebred for Gilgai Farm (Rick Jamieson), this filly boasts an outstanding pedigree. She is out of a two-time winner who is a sister to the Group 1 heroine Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the stakes performer Minqar Qaim, a three-quarter sister to Don Eduardo (NZ), Octagonal (NZ), Mouawad (NZ) and Peruzzi (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), and a half-sister to the stakes performer Markisa (NZ) (Danehill {USA}) - the dam of the Listed victress Ocean Jewel (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Deep Field
This is the wonderful Eight Carat family, which also includes Marquise (NZ) (Gold And Ivory {USA}), Diamond Lover (Sticks And Stones) and Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Danewin and Commands.
Trained by Team Hawkes, Flyin’ The Pin heads into her debut after three trials. She finished second in a Rosehill trial on January 25.
Andrew Adkins will ride the filly.
Canterbury, Race 2, 6.30pm AEDT, Drinwkise Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Excelindeed, 2-year-old colt (Exceed And Excel x Nothin But A Dream {USA} {First Defense {USA}})
Ian Smith bred this colt and his Edinburgh Park offered him at 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bought for $800,000 by Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd/TFI /Dermot Farrington Bloodstock.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt is from a two-time winner who is a half-sister to Quiet Alice (USA) (Quiet American {USA}) - the dam of the stakes winners Endrygol (Ven) (Evolutionist {USA}), Piacenza (Ven) (League Of Nations {USA}), Rod Hendrick (Ven) (Roger Rocket {USA}) and Succesfully (Ven) (League Of Nations {USA}), as well as Smokin’ Alice (USA) (Smoke Glacken {USA}) - the dam of the nine-time winner and Listed scorer Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock).
Excelindeed as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Excelindeed is a half-brother to the former smart sprinter Glenfiddich. He won the G2 Bill Stutt S. in 2020 and now stands at Aquis Farm.
There’s a host of other stakes winners on the colt’s page, including Darling Alice (USA) (Northern Flagship {USA}) and Mica’s Pride (Bite The Bullet {USA}).
Excelindeed won a Rosehill trial in December, before placing second in a Warwick Farm heat last month.
He debuts under Regan Bayliss and they will break from gate three.
Looking Back
At Doomben, La Petite Maison (Spirit Of Boom) ran fifth in Race 2, while in Race 1 at Pakenham, Rasp (Street Boss {USA}) was fifth and Plea (Snitzel) finished last.
