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.
Unbeaten 3-year-old filly Joiselle attempts to win her third race at Scone, while at Geelong, Chris Waller debuts a Proisir juvenile from one of New Zealand’s best families.
Scone, Race 6, 3:10pm AEST, Wild Ruler at Newgate Class 3 H., $27,000, 1100m
Joiselle, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Sezanne, by More Than Ready {USA})
Greenwich Stud’s 3-year-old filly Joiselle won her first two starts in February and March this year, and was given a little freshen-up by trainer Brett Cavanough before she makes an attempt at taking her record to three from three at Scone on Thursday.
The most inexperienced horse in the field, Joiselle will be ridden by Mitchell Bell from gate four.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
By Champion Sire Snitzel, Joiselle is the first live foal for G1 Flight S.-placed winner Sezanne, who won two of her 10 starts with four placings. Sezanne is a half-sister to Listed winner Grace And Harmony (Sebring), with both being out of Group 2 winner Champagne Harmony (Choisir).
This is the family of New Zealand Group 1 winners St Reims (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Charmont (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
Geelong, Race 1, 11:25pm AEST, UAA Group Mdn 2YO Plate, $27,000, 1430m
Onesta (NZ), 2-year-old filly (Proisir x Veronica Franco (NZ), by Johar {USA})
Trainer Chris Waller will debut Onesta (NZ) at Geelong on Thursday and she will be ridden by Beau Mertens from a wide gate. Star Thoroughbreds purchased Onesta at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from Woburn Farm for NZ$100,000.
By Champion NZ Sire Proisir, Onesta should be expected to improve as a 3-year-old heading into the new season in a few weeks but this race looks to be a nice way to kick off her career with a win.
Onesta (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She is the fifth named foal for Group 3 winner Veronica Franco (NZ) whose first four foals are all winners including 3-year-old gelding To Be Frank (Almanzor {Fr}) who is a winner this season. Veronica Franco is one of three stakes winners for her dam Crystal Hailey (USA) (Greinton {GB}), with the others being Listed winner Diamond Hailey (NZ) (Zabeel) and Listed winner Waterford (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who placed twice at Group 1-level. Veronica Franco’s second and third dam were both stakes winners in America.
Looking Back
Our selections for Thursday: Let’sfacethemusic was second and Captain Eagle was fourth.
