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 New Zealand and Australia on Sunday. On the Awapuni-Synthetic a well-bred I Am Invincible 3-year-old colt chases his maiden win, then Ballarat is the venue for Shocking and Capitalist 3-year-old fillies that are also both chasing maiden success.
Awapuni-Synthetic, Race 3, 11.46am AEDT (1.46pm local), New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 3YO Mdn, $18,500, 1000m
Detrimental, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Lope De Lope {Lope De Vega {Ire}})
The John Bary-trained Detrimental will travel to the Awapuni Synthetic Track on Sunday to have his second start over 1000 metres. On debut he was only narrowly beaten, running a close-up second to Tudor Fisk (NZ) (Ribchester {Ire}) when he was trapped wide throughout over 1000 metres at Tauherenikau on February 6.
The promising colt is by the Australia’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible and is the first live foal from the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Lope De Lope, who was a three-time winner on the track.
Detrimental as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Apart from Litter (Catbird), Detrimental’s grandam who was a Listed winner, the family page is a little quiet up close in regards to stakes horses but has some lovely pedigree influences throughout including Invincible Spirit (Ire), Zoffany (USA), Canny Lad, Giant’s Causeway (USA), Vettori (Ire) and Danehill (USA).
Since producing Detrimental, Lope De Lope has produced a 2-year-old filly by Hellbent named Fiery Lass, a yearling filly by Super One and she missed to Better Than Ready last spring.
Detrimental was originally purchased for $100,000 by Ohukia Lodge Ltd from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and was then successfully pin-hooked and sold for $580,000 from the draft of Ohukia Lodge to N & P Balia Family Trust at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
Apiam-Bendigo, Race 3, 2.25pm AEDT, Bet365 Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1500m
Shockletz (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Shocking x Zelt {Red Ransom {USA}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained and Eales Racing Pty Ltd-bred and -owned (with partners) Shocking filly Shockletz (NZ) will be having her second start at Bendigo on Sunday. On debut at Ballarat, she ran a good second placing over 1400 metres on September 20 behind the progressive and well-bred colt Superluminal (I Am Invincible).
This promising filly is out of the Red Ransom (USA) mare Zelt, who was a two-time winner over staying distances in Victoria.
Shocking | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
She has proven to be a very successful broodmare and has left five winners including the six-time winner Wanted Payout-Golden Payout (Mal) (NZ) (Proisir) who has been a winner at Listed level in Malaysia, the talented seven-time winning stayer Horrifying (NZ) (Shocking) who has been successful 1500 metres up to 2800 metres and placed in the G3 Carbine Club S. as a 3-year-old over the mile. Her other winners have included Mrs Zeltfire (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), Zeltire (NZ) (Pentire) and Battlecamp (NZ) (Shocking).
Zelt has since produced a yearling full brother to Shockletz and unfortunately passed away earlier this year.
Apiam-Bendigo, Race 4, 3pm AEDT, Tim Miller Electrical Mdn Plate, $50,000, 1000m
Swifties, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x The Huntress {Husson {Arg}})
The sharply bred Swifties is set to make her debut at Bendigo over 1000 metres on Sunday for Cranbourne trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Swifties is bred to be quick and early, she is by the noted speed stallion in Capitalist and is out of the Husson (Arg) mare The Huntress. She was a two-time winner as a juvenile and her best win was in the Listed Redoute’s Choice S. and she was placed in the G3 National S. She has been a solid producer leaving three winners including Bullet Speed (Snitzel), Squanto (Sebring) and Bertinelli (Snitzel).
Swifties as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Other smart performers within the family are the stakes-winners Truly Inspired (Dundeel {NZ}), Special Alert (Not A Single Doubt), Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}), Reigning Belle (Military Plume {NZ}), Danaides (Rory’s Jester) and Martelomeo (Marscay).
The Huntress, since producing Swifties has left a 2-year-old colt named The Cool Hunter (Snitzel), and a yearling colt by Dirty Work before sadly passing away.
Looking Back
Tuscany (Zoustar) ran a solid race for fifth on debut, he looked like he just peaked on his run late, but it was a good effort.
Bel Merci was very good winning impressively, she used her inside draw well and was dominant. Lovely filly and is very valuable now being by Extreme Choice, out of a Group 1 winner and now a Group 3 winner in her own right.
Gambler (Capitalist) ran okay at Flemington, he raced a bit keen and faded late in the piece to run sixth.
