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 an early 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 well-bred Dundeel (NZ) and Russian Revolution geldings chasing maiden success at Gosford, and a well-related Zoustar running over ground at Pakenham.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT, Veridian Financial Group Mdn P., $42,000, 1600m
Royal Standard, 3-year-old gelding (Dundeel {NZ} x Darousha {Fr} {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-bred Royal Standard, is set to make his third start over 1600 metres for Darley Australia’s head trainer James Cummings at Gosford on Thursday.
Royal Standard is by Arrowfields classy stallion in Dundeel (NZ) and has a very strong international pedigree with his pedigree full of influential stallions including High Chaparral (Ire), Zabeel (NZ), Selkirk (USA), Night Shift (USA) and Sadler’s Wells (USA).
Royal Standard is the third foal from Darousha (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice). She was unraced on the track but has a very classy pedigree behind her being a half-sister to five individual stakes winners and also out of Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk {USA}) who was successful in the G1 Hong Kong Vase.
Royal Standard as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Darousha’s stakes winning half-siblings include the G1 Prix Ganay winning Shamardal {USA} colt Dariyan (Fr), Group 2 winners Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Darkaniya (Fr) {Frankel {GB}), as well as Listed victors Dariyza (Fr) {Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Darabad (Fr) (Dansili {GB}).
Darousha since producing Royal Standard has left a 2-year-old unraced colt by Dundeel named Neptune Legend, a yearling filly by Dundeel and a Maurice (Jpn) weanling colt. She has since been exported to France in January.
Royal Standard sold for $300,000 at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with Godolphin Australia being the successful purchaser from the draft of Arrowfield Stud.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 4, 6.45pm AEDT, Malcolm Reedy Mdn P., $40,000, 2000m
Infinity Imperial, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Imperial Lass {NZ} {Tavistock {NZ}})
Sportsbet-Pakenham’s Thursday meeting will serve as the venue for the third career start of Infinity Imperial, a well-bred daughter of Zoustar from the Liam Howley stable. She showed some promise placing at long odds at her last start at Geelong and the step up in trip looks like it will be to her liking.
Infinity Imperial is out of the high-class staying filly Imperial Lass (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). She won three races and was talented enough to manage a placing in the G1 Queensland Oaks.
Infinity Imperial as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Infinity Imperial’s half-brother Straight Arron (Fastnet Rock) has been a top-level performer in both Australia and Hong Kong. Amongst his six wins have included the G2 Jockey Club Cup, and the G3 Carbine Club S.
Other high-profile members of this very successful family are the G1 ATC Derby winner Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) and the handy Group-winning mare La Sizeranne (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}).
Infinity Imperial was a $900,000 purchase by Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the draft of Torryburn Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 3, 2.35pm AEDT, B.O.M.A.S Social Motorcycle Club Super Mdn P., $60,000, 1200m
Physical Graffiti, 3-year-old gelding (Russian Revolution x Dazed And Confused {NZ} {Showcasing {GB}})
The well-bred gelding Physical Graffiti is set to make his second start over 1200 metres for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden at Newcastle. In his first campaign Physical Graffiti ran a very good third in the G3 Breeders’ P. on debut at Randwick.
Physical Graffiti is a son of Newgate Farm’s stallion Russian Revolution and is out of the Showcasing (GB) mare Dazed And Confused (NZ). She raced three-times on the track but she comes from a very good family being a half-sister to Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) who was successful in the G1 Queensland Oaks and G1 placed in the Ranvet S., BMW S. and the MacKinnon S. and Bolton (NZ) (Zabeel) a Listed winner of the Victoria Cup.
Physical Graffiti as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Further back in the family is the classy free-going G1 winner Pride of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), and the Group 1 winners Loire (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and A Touch Of Ruby (NZ) (Pins). Another promising member of this family is Sunshineinmypocket (NZ) who is unbeaten after three starts and is trained by Ciaron Maher.
Physical Graffiti cost John O’Shea Racing $130,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Yearling Sale from the draft of Kitchwin Hills.
Looking Back
A good day at the office for our selections. Rantan (I Am Invincible) and Togetherforever (Impending) both were impressive winners and Summer Soiree (Russian Revolution) ran a nice second.
