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.
Outside of the group racing on Saturday, TTR found a couple of debutants to follow with million dollar yearling, now 3-year-old gelding Vieri (Russian Revolution) at Kembla Grange and at Morphettville, 3-year-old gelding Discreetly Blue (Blue Point {Ire}) makes his debut.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 2:25pm, AEST, Book Your Xmas Party @ The Gong Maiden P., $42,000, 1200m
Vieri, 3-year-old gelding (Russian Revolution x Our Libretto (NZ), by O’Reilly {NZ})
Bred by GSA Bloodstock and sold by Bhima Thoroughbreds for $1.1 million at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Mick Wallace, Gandharvi, Rosemont Alliance and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Vieri has a lot to live up to. Trained by Michael Freedman, he trialled three times as a 2-year-old and in his first outing at three, he recently ran second at the trials to prepare for this maiden event at Kembla Grange.
Vieri as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The most expensive yearling for his sire Russian Revolution, who has eleven stakes winners led by Group 1 winner Communist. Russian Revolution was crowned the Champion first season sire and Champion second season sire with his first crop. He stands at Newgate Farm for $66,000 in 2024.
With such a price tag comes a big family, and Vieri is the second foal of Our Libretto (NZ) who won five races and was placed in the G2 Zipping Classic. Our Libretto is a half-sister to triple Group 3 winner Epingle (NZ) (Pins) as well as stakes placed winners Etoile Filante (NZ) (Pins), and Thurston (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). They are all out of Listed winner Etoile Du Nord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and this is the family of Group 1 winner and sire Artie Schiller (USA).
Morphettville, Race 2, 12:52pm, SA time, Guinness 3YO Mdn H., $50,000, 1050m
Discreetly Blue, 3-year-old gelding (Blue Point {Ire} x Serenely Discreet, by Exceed And Excel)
Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray will debut 3-year-old gelding Discreetly Blue at Morphettville on Saturday over 1050 metres, and he will be ridden by Todd Pannell from barrier 10. Withdrawn from the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by Mill Park Stud, Discreetly Blue had an educational trial at the start of this month.
Multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Blue Point (Ire) has been a sensation in the Northern Hemisphere with his first crop including G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Big Evs who has gone head to head with Asfoora (Flying Artie) this season at three, as well Group 1 winning 3-year-old colt Rosallion. So far, he has nine stakes winners from his first Northern Hemisphere crop and another from his second, while his Australian first crop have just turned three and include stakes placed juveniles Blue Rocket, Blue Stratum, Bosustow, Heavy Metal and Reasonable Point.
Blue Point (Ire) | Standing at Darley
This is the famed ‘Discreet’ family of South Australian breeder David Peacock with Discreetly Blue’s dam Serenely Discreet (Exceed And Excel) winning three races including the G2 Edward Manifold S. Discreetly Blue is her third live foal, and the first two are both winners, being Perito Moreno (Frosted {USA}) and Soames (Lonhro).
Serenely Discreet’s dam is dual Listed winner of seven races I’m Discreet (Elusive Quality {USA}) who is a half-sister to Listed winners Very Discreet (Exceed And Excel) and Forever Discreet (Bernardini {USA}). Serenely Discreet’s second dam is Group 3 winner She’s Discreet and this is the family of Group 1 winner Maybe Discreet (Shamardal {USA}).
Looking Back
Headline Legend (Star Turn) was very good again running a narrow second, his maiden win looks just around the corner.
Accessorized (Written Tycoon) was disappointing, after leading up she faded in the straight running sixth, she may improve with the experience.
