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 Saturday. These include an expensive Russian Revolution gelding chasing maiden success at Kembla Grange, a well-bred Snitzel 2-year-old makes her debut at Murray Bridge and a Harry Angel (Ire) filly with a lovely international pedigree is running at Albury.
Kembla Grange, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, ITC Legends Raceday CG&E Mdn H., $42,000, 1500m
Vieri, 3-year-old gelding (Russian Revolution x Our Libretto {NZ} {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The Michael Freedman-trained Vieri will make his third start over 1500 metres at Kembla Grange on Saturday on the back of two solid runs in his career so far.
The well-related gelding is the second foal from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Our Libretto, (NZ) she was a 5-time winner on the track from 1400 metres to 2050 metres and was successful in the Cranbourne Pinker Pinker P. as well as being stakes-placed in the G2 Zipping C. and the G3 Tattersall’s Cup.
Vieri’s second dam is the Zabeel (NZ) mare Etoile Du Nord (NZ), she was handy on the track winning 5-times from 1600 metres to 2400 metres with her biggest win being in the Listed Marton Cup. She was also placed in the G2 Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup, G2 Championship S. and the G3 Manawatu Classic.
Vieri as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
At stud Etoile Du Nord left five individual winners with the best of these being the classy stayer Epingle (NZ) (Pins) who won the G3 Chairman’s H. G3 Hobart Cup and the G3 Launceston Cup, Etoile Filante (NZ) (Pins) who was a 5-time winner and placed in the G2 Avondale Cup and Thurston (NZ) (O’Reilly) who was a 5-time winner.
Our Libretto since producing Vieri has left a 2-year-old filly named Sadness (Pariah), a yearling filly by Russian Revolution and is due to foal again to Russian Revolution later this month.
Vieri was an expensive $1,100,000 purchase by Mick Wallace/Gandharvi/Rosemont Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Murray Bridge, Race 1, 12.27pm AEDT (11.57am local), Rural City Of Murray Bridge - Moorundi Classic, $65,000, 900m
Hiatus, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Albanilla {GB} {Galileo {Ire}})
Murray Bridge’s Saturday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Hiatus who is trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy. She trialled up very well at Cranbourne over 800 metres on September 16 when winning narrowly by 0.2l over her stablemate Xtreme (Exceedance).
Hiatus is by one of Australia’s best stallions in Snitzel and has a strong international pedigree with her page full of influential stallions including Galileo (Ire), Storm Bird (Can), Miswaki (USA), Green Desert (USA), Darshan (GB) and Sir Ivor (GB).
Hiatus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
His dam Albanilla (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was unraced on the track but has left two winners, these are Chicamo (Exceed And Excel) and Lenape Vibe (Maurice {Jpn}).
Hiatus has a deep-extended pedigree, some of the top class Group 1-performers within this top class pedigree are the stallions Dragon Dancer (GB) and Eldar Eldarov (GB), the outstanding Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who wonsix Group 1 races including the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Alborada (GB) (Alzao {USA}) and Albanova (GB) (Alzao {USA}).
Hiatus was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Arrowfield Stud for $350,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Albury, Race 5, 3.46pm AEDT, Albury Newsagency Mdn P., $27,000, 1175m
Grinzinger Fashion, 3-year-old filly (Harry Angel {Ire} x Fashion Note {GB} {Singspiel {Ire}})
The well-related Grinzinger Fashion is set to make her second start at Albury for Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne on Saturday. On debut she ran a very promising fourth at Benalla where she was holding her ground solidly in running behind the smart Lake Forest (Written Tycoon) over 1206 metres.
Grinzinger Fashion is a daughter of Darley Stud’s shuttler Harry Angel and is the fifth live foal from the Singspiel (Ire) mare Fashion Note (GB). She was a winner over 2300 metres in France. She has left two individual winners including the Macau six-time winner City Lucky Star (Redoute’s Choice) and the Melbourne metropolitan winner Edith (Written Tycoon).
Grinzinger Fashion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Fashion Note has a very strong pedigree, she is a full sister to Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel) who was the 2007 Champion Turf Female in America and her wins included the G1 Flower Bowl S. and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf S. She has then thrived as a broodmare leaving Mahrajaan (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) who has been a super two-miler in New Zealand winning the G2 Auckland Cup and the G3 New Zealand Cup and also the Listed winning mare Aghareed (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}).
Aghareed has then clearly left her mark as an elite broodmare leaving the Group 1 stars and now stallions Hukum (Ire) and Baaeed (GB) who have won 8 Group 1 races between them.
Grinzinger Fashion has a strong pedigree with her page full of influential international stallions including Acclamation (GB), Cadeaux Genereux (GB), In The Wings (GB), Sadler’s Wells (USA), Arazi (USA) and Blushing Groom (Fr). Many of these stallions have strong staying blood and performance so it is expected that Grinzinger Fashion will improve with a bit of time and distance.
Grinzinger Fashion was a $30,000 value purchase by John Wheeler from the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the draft of Murrulla Stud.
Looking Back
Smart Love (NZ) Savabeel ran a solid second at Taupo, she was on-pace throughout and only went down narrowly. A maiden win will come shortly for this talented filly.
Regal Tycoon (Written Tycoon) ran a great race for second, she led all of the way to just be pipped on the line. A brave and honest effort.
French Empire (Justify {USA}) was unfortunately scratched, he will keep for another day.
