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.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Thursday, including a Written Tycoon colt who was a $1,400,000 purchase resuming at Newcastle, a promising Churchill (Ire) 2-year-old debuting at Pakenham and a Maurice (Jpn) colt looking to break through at start number three.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Sharp Office 2YO Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1200m
Media World, 2-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Meryl {Epaulette})
The well-bred Media World is set to make his second start over 1200 metres for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden at Newcastle. In his first campaign he ran a very creditable fifth in Listed company at Caulfield on December 2 over 1000 metres.
Media World is a son of Yulong Stud’s star stallion Written Tycoon and is out of the Epaulette mare Meryl. She was a two-time winner at 1200 metres including the G3 BJ McLachlan S., and the G3 Scarborough S. She comes from a solid family being a half-sister to two Listed stakes placegetters in Chosen Idol - Golden Idol (Mac) (Choisir) and Miss Idyllic (Exceed And Excel).
Media World as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Meryl, since producing Media World, has left a yearling colt by Capitalist, a filly foal by Pierata and was most recently served by Pierro last spring.
Media World was an expensive purchase at the sales costing Yu Long Investments $1,400,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Fairview Park Stud.
Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Battery Zone 2YO Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Narbold, 2-year-old colt (Churchill {Ire} x Noblest {GB} {Pivotal {GB}})
The well-bred Narbold is set to make his debut over 1200 metres for Flemington trainer Chris Waller at Pakenham on Thursday.
Narbold is by Coolmore Stud’s shuttling stallion in Churchill (Ire) and has a strong international pedigree with his pedigree full of influential stallions including Pivotal (GB), Dancing Brave (USA), Galileo (Ire) and Storm Cat (USA). Further back in the family are the Group winners Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Dark Lady (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
Churchill (Ire) | Standing at Coolmore
Narbold is the third foal from Noblest. She was a winner over seven furlongs in Great Britain on the track and has a very classy pedigree behind her. She is a full-sister to Peeress (GB) (Pivotal) who was the Champion Older Female Miler in Great Britain and Ireland and her seven-wins included the G1 Sun Chariot S., and the G1 Lockinge Stakes G1.
Noblest since producing Narbold has left a yearling filly by Starspangledbanner and was also most recently served by him again last spring.
Pakenham, Race 4, 7.15pm AEDT, Liberty Equipment Hire Race Day Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1600m
Voracious, 3-year-old gelding (Maurice {Jpn} x Seven Year Itch {Keltrice})
Voracious, a gelded son of Arrowfield Stud’s star shuttle stallion Maurice (Jpn), will make his third start at Pakenham for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr after a brave on-speed effort for third on debut and a close-up fourth at his last start.
This Maurice gelding is the ninth foal from the Keltrice mare Seven Year Itch, who was placed on the track. She is the producer of six winners including stakes winners Rich Itch (Danerich) and Scratchy Lass (U S Ranger {USA}) and the stakes-placed Ausbred Flirt (Maurice {Jpn}).
Voracious as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The Honor Grades (USA) mare Love To Honor (NZ) features in the pedigree as the second dam, she was Listed-placed on the track and also is a half-sister to the G1 Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup-winning gelding Viewed (Scenic {Ire}).
Voracious initially sold for $200,000 from the Rangal Park Stud draft to Shrone Bloodstock/Silverdale Farm at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale. Silverdale Farm sold him at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to Yes Bloodstock Pty Ltd for $500,000.
Looking back
Our selections for Wednesday: Just Party (Justify {USA}) won, Velozes (I Am Invincible) ran second at Doomben and Market Square (NZ) (Tavistock) finished 10th at Pukekohe Park.
