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 Thursday, including a Exosphere gelding making his debut at Wyong after winning a trial nicely, and a well bred full-brother to Mr Quickie having his second start at Bendigo.
Wyong, Race 4, 1.50pm AEDT, Domeland Thanks Stablehands Mdn P., $42,000, 1000m
Exothrill, 3-year-old gelding (Exosphere x Thrill (NZ) {Flying Spur})
Exothrill, a son of Darley Stud’s former stallion Exosphere, will be making his debut at Wyong for Hawkesbury trainer Peter Green. In preparation for this assignment he has trialled four times and managed to win his last one nicely at Wyong over 845 metres on June 19.
Exothrill is the fourth foal from the Flying Spur mare Thrill (NZ), who was a winner in New Zealand as a juvenile. Thrill herself was an expensive yearling costing $400,000 to the very good judge in Mr GE Harding at the 2013 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Exothrill as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has made a promising start at stud leaving three individual winners including the four-time winner Twig (Shooting To Win), the dual winner Hillaby (Shooting To Win) and the $625,000 purchase Golden Estrella (Zoustar) who has showed good promise early in her career to date winning once and placing twice from only five starts.
Thrill is very well-related being a half-sister to Star Of The Seas (Ocean Park {NZ}) who was an eight-time winner and his wins included the G2 Blamey S., and the G3 Maurice McCarten H., He also managed placings in the G1 Doncaster H., G1 Winx S., G1 George Main S., G1 Epsom H., and the G2 Tramway S., Another half-brother is Spieth (NZ) who also was a stakes-winner in the Listed City Tatt’s Lightning H., and managed close placings in the G1 Darley C., and the G1 Lightning S., Before embarking on a stud career that was unfortunately short lived after passing away after only four crops.
Thrill since producing Exothrill has left a two-year-old filly by Zousian named Tasman Bay in training with Bjorn Baker, she was a $400,000 purchase by Curran Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Also a yearling filly by Zousain, a weanling colt by Trapeze Artist and most was served last spring by Widden Stud’s young promising sire Jacquinot in the spring.
Bendigo, Race 3, 1.30pm AEDT, Workforce Extensions Mdn P., $37,500, 1300m
Brother Quickie, 2-year-old gelding (Shamus Award x Special Favour {General Nediym)
Sale’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the second start for Brother Quickie, a well-bred son of Shamus Award from the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable at Pakenham. He didn't show a lot on debut, but extra distance and experience should only assist him here.
Brother Quickie is out of the staying filly Special Favour (General Nediym) who won over 2200 metres. She has proven to be a very good broodmare leaving three winners including Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) who was successful eleven times including the G1 Queensland Derby, G1 Toorak H., G3 Victoria H., and placings in the G1 Memsie S., G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, G1 Makybe Diva S., G1 Futurity S., and the G1 South Australian Derby. Her other winners include Quickster (Shamus Award) who is a Listed winning sprinter and the winning Zoustar filly Recognise.
Shamus Award as a yearling | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Special Favour’s dam is the very talented filly My Tusker (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) who was a classy galloper in New Zealand, she won the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies C., G2 Championship S., and the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup.
Other high-profile members of this very successful family are the superstar multiple Group 1 winner Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Tribal Wisdom (Makfi {GB}), Bubble (NZ) (Sir Tristram), Solo Flyer (Belong To Me {USA}) and Fiumicino (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Special Favour since producing Brother Quickie, has unfortunately not left a live-foal but was served by Shamus Award again last spring.
Looking Back:
Red Envelope (Shalaa {Ire}) was disappointing running sixth, she showed plenty of pace but faded in the last furlong, she should improve from the experience.
Sacredarro (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) toughed it out well to win narrowly over ground. He still looks like he has a bit to learn but shows some solid staying potential.
Carnegie Hill (I Am Invincible) was scratched from his race, he will keep for another day.
