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 early in its career chasing maiden success, 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 Tuesday, including a Showtime colt that has looked very smart at the trials racing at Warwick and a So You Think (NZ) gelding making his debut on the Ballarat Synthetic track.
Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, Race 4, 2.30pm, AEST, Porter Plant Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Stairway, 3-year-old gelding (So You Think (NZ) x Babel {Lonhro})
The Ballarat based-trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy saddle up Stairway (So You Think {NZ}) to make his debut over 1500 metres at his home venue on Tuesday.
This promising gelding is the fifth foal from the Lonhro mare Babel, who was a five-time winner on the track and classy enough to place in the Listed Belle of the Turf S. She has made a promising start to her broodmare career leaving three winners including Translator (Helmet), Shinar (Bernardini {USA}), and Statesmanship (So You Think).
Some other group performers that feature in the pedigree are Any Day Will Do (Any Given Saturday {USA}), Centainette (NZ) (Centaine), Seascay (NZ), Littorio (Bellotto {USA}), and Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking).
Stairway as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Stairway was a $200,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Babel, since producing Stairway, has left a 2-year-old gelding named Gunner (Dundeel {NZ}), and a weanling colt by Tiger Of Malay.
Warwick, Race 1, 10.42am, AEST, Brian Davidson QTIS 2YO Mdn H., $30,000, 1100m
Pope Cody, 2-year-old colt (Showtime x Smurf Cody {Animal Kingdom} {USA})
Pope Cody, a son of Arrowfield Stud’s Showtime, will make his debut at Warwick for Cameron Richardson on Tuesday. He has looked very promising at the trials winning the two trials he has competed in over 925 metres at Toowoomba, with the most recent one being an easy 3l victory.
Pope Cody is the second foal from the Animal Kingdom (USA) mare Smurf Cody, who was a winner over 1450 metres. Smurf Cody’s dam is the talented stayer Vitesse Dane (Danewin) who was successful in the G1 Queensland Oaks and was placed in the G1 Queensland Derby.
Showtime | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Within this pedigree there are many strong pedigree influences, Pope Cody has a 4 x 4 cross of the great Danehill (USA) and other significant stallions that feature within the page are Snippets, Woodman (USA), Irish River (Fr), Nijinsky II (Can) and Never Bend (USA).
Smurf Cody, since producing Pope Cody, has left a yearling and weanling fillies by Tassort and was most recently served by Profiteer last spring.
Spotlights was a $5,500 purchase by Cameron Richardson from the 2022 Inglis Digital October Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday 19 May
Wowzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) ran a great race at the Sunshine Coast, he ran on strongly from well back in the field to run second. He looks like he could be a very promising three-year-old stayer for next season.
Tuscan Storey (Written Tycoon) was scratched, she will keep for another day.
