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.
Two exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Friday, including a beautifully bred Zoustar filly resuming at Sportsbet-Pakenham and a well-related Spirit Of Boom 2-year-old debutant on the Sunshine Coast Poly Track.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, CUB Back On Track Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Miss Marceau 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Mime (NZ) {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
The well-bred Miss Marceau is set to have her second start over 1000 metres for Mornington trainer Clayton Douglas on the back of a solid debut run at Mornington in October last year.
Miss Marceau is a daughter of Widden Stud’s classy sire Zoustar and is the second foal from the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Mime (NZ). She was a star middle-distance performer on the track winning five races including the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, the G2 Travis S. and the G3 Sunline Vase.
There is further depth to this pedigree, particularly with New Zealand fillies. Some of these performers include the Group 1 winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), the Group 2 winner Puttanesca (NZ) (Bertolini {USA}) and the handy Listed winner Classic Clare (NZ) (Gold Brose).
Miss Marceau as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Mime has since foaled a 2-year-old filly named Moscow Circus (Russian Revolution), and was most recently served by Wild Ruler in the spring.
Miss Marceau sold for $180,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale to Clayton Douglas Racing from the draft of Sledmere Stud.
Sunshine Coast Poly Track, Race 1, 6.52pm AEDT (5.52pm local), Dulux QTIS 2YO Mdn, $30,000, 1000m
Heart And Spirit, 2-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Hearts And Arrows {Kempinsky})
The Stuart Kendrick trained Heart And Spirit will be heading to the Sunshine Coast Poly Track on Friday to make her debut over 1000 metres.
This Spirit Of Boom filly is the sixth foal from the Kempinsky mare Hearts And Arrows, who was a two-time winner on the track. She also is a half-sister to Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) who was a dual winner of the G3 ARC Alison S., and Fair Trade (Danewin) who was victorious in the G3 CS Hayes S.
Hearts and Arrows has already left her mark at stud leaving the very talented sprinter in Jonker he was successful in five races including the G1 Manikato S., and he now stands at stud at Aquis Farm. Beau Arrow (Love Conquers All) and Gandiva (Magic Albert) are also winners that she has produced.
Heart And Spirit as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Hearts And Arrows has been given every chance at stud and in recent years has left a foal colt by So You Think (NZ) and in the spring was served again by Spirit Of Boom.
Heart and Spirit was a $180,000 purchase by Kendrick Racing, from the draft of Eureka Stud at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
We will have to wait for another day to see Fine Future (Jpn) (Fine Needle {Jpn}) as he was scratched from Bendigo on Thursday. Unfortunately, Have A Crack (Zoustar) should have also stayed home, he lost his rider in Race 3 at the same track.
