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, second or third 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 well bred runners are set to hit the track at Geelong on Tuesday, including a 2-year-old by Starcraft (NZ) and So You Think (NZ) and Savabeel fillys going head-to-head over 1740 metres.
Bet365 Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Rex Gorell Volkswagen Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1740m
Elegancia, 3-year-old filly (So You Think (NZ) x Zazparella {Al Maher})
The well-bred filly Elegancia (So You Think {NZ}) is set to make her fourth start over 1740 metres for Mount Macedon trainer Liam Howley at Geelong on Tuesday. She has run with merit in all three appearances on the track so far, placing each time, so she is due that deserved maiden win.
Elegancia is the third foal from Zazparella (Al Maher). She was a handy stayer and won six-times on the track including four metropolitan wins. She has already left two individual winners including Zouzarella (Zoustar) who won the Listed Atlantic Jewel S., and Misterzee (Zoffany {Ire}) who was successful five-times from 1400 metres to 1750 metres.
Elegancia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Further back in the family are the stakes performers Almachino (Al Maher), Lets Get Nauti Gal (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Zabarella (Ity) (Clouet {Ity}).
Zazparella since producing Elegancia has left a 2-year-old unnamed colt by Highland Reel (Ire), yearling and foal fillies both by Toronado (Ire) and was most recently served by Swettenham Stud's stallion in Rubick.
Bet365 Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Rex Gorell Volkswagen Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1740m
Sun Gift (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Sunniva (NZ) {Pour Moi {Ire}})
Geelong’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the second start for the Waikato Stud bred and M J Chittick owned filly Sun Gift (NZ) (Savabeel) after running a promising fifth first up on the course.
Sun Gift is by the Champion New Zealand sire in Savabeel and she has a strong international pedigree with her page full of influential stallions including Zabeel (NZ), Montjeu (Ire), Defensive Play (USA) and Sadler’s Wells (USA).
Savabeel | Standing at Waikato Stud
Her dam Sunniva (NZ) was unraced on the track but is very well-related. She is a three-quarter-sister to the former Windsor Park Stallion and Group 2 winner Guillotine (NZ) and a half-sister the the G1 Melbourne Cup, G1 Turnbull S. and G1 VRC Derby victor in Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Since producing Sun Gift, Sunniva has an unnamed 2-year-old by Savabeel (that sold for NZ$230,000 to Rob Hickmott Racing at the 2023 NZ Karaka Yearling Sale) and a yearling colt also by Savabeel, she was most recently served by the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winning son of Savabeel in Noverre (NZ).
Bet365 Geelong, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Bet365 2YO Fillies Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1140m
Lady Gimlet, 2-year-old filly (Starcraft {NZ} x Lady Lupino {Sebring})
The Flemington-based trainer Danny O’Brien will prepare the well-bred filly Lady Gimlet (Starcraft {NZ}) to make her third start at Geelong on Sunday after running a very good third on debut on December 30 at Moonee Valley over 1200 metres and a solid enough fourth at her last start behind the promising Skipjack (Rubick).
Lady Gimlet is by the globetrotting stallion Starcraft (NZ) out of the Sebring mare Lady Lupino, she was a very smart 2-year-old winning two races but also being placed in the G2 Angus Armanasco S., and the G1 Champagne S.
Starcraft (NZ) | Image courtesy of Arrowfield
Lady Lupino is also a sister to the Listed Gold Rush Handicap victor in Embracer (Sebring) and a half-sister to the Champion Australian 3YO colt and sire in Star Witness and the G3 San Domenico S. winner and sire Nostradamus.
Other successful stakes performers in the family include Vulpine (Snitzel), Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter), Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter), Ferocity (Lion Hunter), Pohutakawa (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Chiaramonte (Redoute’s Choice).
Since producing Lady Gimlet, Lady Lupino has yearling and foal colts by Zoustar and was most recently served by the Golden Slipper winning son of Not a Single Doubt in Farnan.
Looking Back
Our selections for Monday: Dresse’ Par Joli (NZ) ran a race of 'an improver' for fourth in her first run for nearly a year. Canara (I Am Invincible) ran fourth at Warwick Farm in Race 1.
