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.
Imported 3-year-old Sea Strike (GB) who is related to Romantic Warrior (Ire) makes his debut on Friday while nicely bred 2-year-old Hayabusa (Super Seth) has his second start.
Goulburn, Race 7, 3.40pm AEST, Goulburn Australian Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1600m
Sea Strike (GB), 3-year-old gelding (Sea The Stars (Ire)-Herecomesthesun (Ire), by Invincible Spirit {Ire})
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Sea Strike (GB) heads to Goulburn on Friday to make his debut over a mile, having had several trials to prepare him for his first raceday assignment. Born in February 2021, he’s six months younger than the Australian-bred 3-year-olds, and is certainly bred to stay so the mile should suit.
A 100,000 gns (AU$199,200) purchase from the Tattersall’s October Yearling Sale (Book 1), he is by The Aga Khan’s Champion racehorse and successful sire Sea The Stars who has 21 Group 1 winners as a sire.
Sea The Stars (Ire) | Standing at Gilltown Stud, Ireland
He is the first named foal for his Listed-placed dam, Herecomesthesun (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who won twice over 1400 metres and a mile. She is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Folk Opera (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}) who is the dam of juvenile winner Folk Melody (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), who in turn is the dam of globetrotting eight-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
Ballarat, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Veolia Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Hayabusa, 2-year-old colt (Super Seth-Queen Of Diamonds (NZ), by Savabeel)
Named after an incredibly quick motorbike that re-wrote the rulebook, Hayabusa ran mid-field at his first start a fortnight ago at the same track, Hayabusa steps up in distance for his second start for trainers Team Hayes. A $200,000 purchase from Vinery Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft, Hayabusa is by first season sire Super Seth.
Super Seth has had a wonderful start to his stud career with stakes winners Linebacker and Super Photon.
Hayabusa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Hayabusa is the first foal of Joint NZB Filly Of The Year and Group 2 winner Queen Of Diamonds (NZ), who descends from the Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) branch of the famed Eight Carat (GB) family. Queen Of Diamonds is out of Tristalove’s juvenile winning daughter Love Diamonds (Danehill {USA}) making Love Diamonds a full sister to Group 1 winner Viking Ruler, Group 2 winner Kempinsky, and Listed winner Diamond Like, as well as a half-sister to Group 2 winner Lovetrista (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Tristalove herself was a brilliant racemare with 11 wins including the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce S. and G1 Australasian Oaks.
Looking Back
Of our selections for Thursday, Adjanni (American Pharoah {USA}) ran third, while Fortingall (I Am Invincible) and Carnegie Hill (I Am Invincible) didn’t run due to the Kembla Grange postponement.
