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 exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Friday, including a Dundeel (NZ) mare that is making her debut at Geelong and Curlin (USA) and Yes Yes Yes runners are chasing maiden success at Murwillumbah.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Adam Bird Electrics F&M Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1512m
Polish Power, 4-year-old mare (Dundeel {NZ} x Polska (Encosta De Lago))
The well-bred Polish Power (Dundeel {NZ}), is set to make her debut over 1200 metres for trainer Ciaron Maher at Geelong on Friday after having a couple of educational jump-outs at Stawell and Cranbourne.
Polish Power is by Arrowfield Stud’s classy stallion in Dundeel (NZ) and is the eighth foal from Polska (Encosta De Lago). She was placed on the track before forging a very successful broodmare career. She has left five winners including the Group 2 winners Seaburge (Sebring) and Catch A Fire (Sebring) and the six-time winner Toyetic (Sebring), Waltzing Wodka (Sebring) and Zloties (Snitzel).
Dundeel (NZ) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Some other Group winners that feature within this solid pedigree are the G1 Australasian Oaks winner La Volta (Laranto), the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt), the Group 2 winner Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock), Terevega (Laranto) and Brave Mead (Brave Smash).
Since producing Polish Power, Polska has produced a 2-year-old colt by Super Seth, a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and is due to foal to Toronado (Ire) next month.
Murwillumbah, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Eva Smith Memorial Country Boosted Mdn Showcase H., $35,000, 1550m
Half Listening (USA), 4-year-old gelding (Curlin (USA) x Chintz {NZ} {Savabeel})
Murwillumbah’s Friday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of the Matthew Dunn-trained and internationally-bred Half Listening (Curlin {USA}). He has had three educational trials in preparation for this raceday assignment at Rosehill, Deagon and Murwillumbah.
Half Listening is by the top class American sire in Curlin (USA) and has a strong international and colonial pedigree with his page full of influential stallions including Smart Strike (USA), Smart Strike (Can), Deputy Minister (Can), Last Tycoon (Ire), Vice Regent (Can), Savabeel, O’Reilly (NZ) and Oncidium (NZ).
Curlin (USA) | Standing at Hill N Dale Farms
His dam Chintz (NZ) was a six-time winner in New Zealand which included the G2 Rich Hill Mile and the G3 Westbury C. She was also placed in the G1 Easter H., G2 Japan/New Zealand Internationa l Trophy and the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders S.
She has already been successful in the broodmare shed leaving the talented and durable Cambridge Stud owned gelding, Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt). He has been a seven-time winner and he tasted success in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S., Listed Hareeba S., and the Listed Chester Manifold S.
Other top class stakes-performers within this top class pedigree are Chenille (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) the G1 Auckland Cup winning mare, Seraphic (NZ) (Imposing), Irlanda (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Mo’unga (NZ), Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth) and She’s A Treasure (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Murwillumbah, Race 5, 3.10pm AEST, Murwillumbah Services Club Super Mdn Showcase Plate, $50,000, 1200m
Climactic, 3-year-old colt (Yes Yes Yes x Snitzel’s Joy (Snitzel)
The Matthew Dunn-trained Climactic (Yes Yes Yes) will travel to Murwillumbah on Friday to have his third start over 1200 metres . On debut he was only narrowly beaten, running a close-up fourth in the $1,000,000 Golden Gift behind the very talented Shangri La Express (Alabama Express). Since that run he had a nice break and has prepared for his second preparation with two nice trial wins at Gold Coast and Murwillumbah before running a nice third at Doomben fresh-up behind Moulin Miss (Spirit Of Boom) on August 3.
The promising colt is by the former Everest winner Yes Yes Yes and is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Snitzel’s Joy, who was a three-time winner over sprint distances on the track.
Climactic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The family page is a little quiet up close in regards to stakes horses but has some lovely pedigree influences throughout including Encosta De Lago, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire), Riverman (USA), Redoute’s Choice, Canny Lad, Spectrum (Ire) and Rainbow Quest (USA).
Since producing Climactic, Snitzel’s Joy has produced a 2-year-old filly by Jungle Cat (Ire), a yearling filly by Better Than Ready and is due to foal in October to Yes Yes Yes.
Climactic was purchased for $110,000 by Matthew Dunn/Neil Jenkinson Pty Ltd (FBAA) from the draft of Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Homecoming (Exceed And Excel) was disappointing running seventh and Mother Goose (Lonhro) ran a lovely race on debut for third, she looks promising.
