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.
Three runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Tuesday. We have Ardrossan and Alabama Express 2-year-olds taking on each other at Seymour and a son of Zarak (Fr) making his Australian debut after showing some very good juvenile form in Ireland.
Seymour, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Sassi Group Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1300m
Jazzclub (NZ), 2-year-old gelding (Ardrossan x Vanilla Essence (NZ) {Pins})
Jazzclub (NZ), a son of Waikato Stud’s in-form young stallion Ardrossan, will make his debut at Seymour on Tuesday for trainer Ciaron Maher after trialling up well at Bendigo on June 17 when he won nicely over 1000 metres beating Celnado (Toronado {Ire}).
The well-bred gelding is the second foal from the Pins mare Vanilla Essence (NZ), who was unraced.
She is very well-related being a half-sister to Raid (NZ) (Pins) who was a five-time winning sprinter and her major win was in the Listed Lion Red Plate, she also managed placings in the R. Listed Karaka Millions, G1 Diamond S., and the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S.
She has then become a star broodmare leaving five winners including Night Raid (Vancouver) who was a dual Listed winning sprinter, the winners and also stakes-placed runners Mujallad (Redoute’s Choice) and Tarismo - Chromium Alloy (Mac) (Testa Rossa), and the winners Platinum Bullet (Shooting To Win) and Missandei (Helmet).
Jazzclub (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Vanilla Essence is a full sister to Purely Spectacular (NZ) (Pins) who is the dam of Stratum Star and Prague who were Group 1 and Group 3 winners respectively and then stallions and Serenade who was a smart stakes performed filly by Star Witness.
She is also is a three-quarter sister to three stakes-placed runners who are Pinstripe Lane (NZ) (Pins), Does It (NZ) (Pins), Look Sharpish (Pins) and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Cruising Speed (NZ) (Savabeel).
Vanilla Essence since producing Jazzclub has left a weanling colt by Savabeel and was served last spring by Waikato Stud’s Champion Sire in Savabeel again.
Jazzclub was a $260,000 purchase by Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2023 Inglis Australian Classic Yearling Sale.
Seymour, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Sassi Group Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1300m
Alabama Blitz, 2-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Glitzabeel (NZ) {Zabeel {NZ}})
Bred and raced by Yulong Investments, the well-bred Alabama Blitz (Alabama Express) is set to make her debut over 1300 metres for Flemington based trainer Michael Moroney at Seymour on Tuesday.
Alabama Blitz is out of Glitzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), she was a handy staying mare on the track winning five times from 1400 metres to 2100 metres in New Zealand.
She has since left two winners including the high-class stayer Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), she won six races from 1400 metres to 2400 metres and was talented enough to win the G1 Schweppes Oaks, G2 WH Stocks S., G3 Bendigo Cup and the G3 Alexandra S. Her other winner has been Tango Gold (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who has been successful over 2000 metres.
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong Stud
Other Group performers within this pedigree are Beauty Watch (Belong To Me {USA}), Top Of My List (High Chaparral), Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and Precious Glitter (Danehill {USA}).
Since producing Alabama Blitz, Glitzabeel has produced a weanling colt by Tagaloa and was most recently served in the spring by the promising Yulong Stud sire Alabama Express again.
Scone, Race 4, 12pm AEST, Temperature Control Central Coast Class 1 & Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1700m
Zaphod (Ire), 3-year-old gelding (Zarak (Fr) x Pocket Of Stars (Ire) {Sea The Stars {Ire}})
The well-bred Zaphod (Ire) is set to have his third start over 1700 metres for Kris Lees at Scone on Tuesday. This will be his first start in Australia, he won impressively on debut at Tipperary over 1810 metres before running a very good third in the Group 3 Eyrefield S. at Leopardstown behind Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
In Australia he has had two quiet trials to prepare himself for this race assignment over 1700 metres. It looks like staying is going to be his arena once he continues to develop and he does look a promising type.
Zarak (Fr) | Standing at Haras de Bonneval, France
Zaphod is a son of Haras de Bonneval’s super sire Zarak (Fr) and is out of Pocket Of Stars (Ire). She was placed on the track at the Curragh Racecourse and has also left the three time winner Miss Down Under (Ire) (Australia {GB}).
She is very well related being a three-quarter sister to Spiritjim (Fr) (Galileo) who was a four-time stakes winner in France before being exported to Australia where he managed a placing in the G3 Craven Plate. The high-class racehorse and now stallion, Silver Frost (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) is also a half-sibling and he won the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains amongst another four stakes races.
Zaphod was a €56,000 (AU$89,800) purchase by Hebertsdown House from the 2021 Goffs Ireland November Foal Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday, June 30
Nebuchadnezzar (NZ) (Rageese) and The Precursor (St Jean {Ire}) both run good races at Ballarat finishing third and second respectively. Maiden success looks like it will be coming soon.
