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.
Two exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Friday. A Darci Brahma (NZ) gelding out of a half-sister to the mighty So You Think (NZ) debuts at New Plymouth and a promising Tarzino (NZ) gelding chases maiden success at the Sunshine Coast.
New Plymouth, Race 2, 1.22pm AEDT (3.22pm local), Energy City Ford Mdn., $25,000, 1200m
Last Souvenir (NZ), 4-year-old gelding (Darci Brahma (NZ) x La Souvenir (NZ) {Nuclear Freeze {USA}})
The Robbie Patterson-trained Last Souvenir (NZ) will make his debut on his hometrack at New Plymouth on Friday over 1200 metres. He looks like he has his fair share of ability after running a promising second at the Foxton trials earlier this year on March 7 over 1000 metres behind Lucky Penny (Echoes Of Heaven).
This well-related gelding is the sixth foal from the Nuclear Freeze (USA) mare La Souvenir (NZ), she was a winner over 1400 metres on the track and has left three-winners.
Darci Brahma (NZ) | Standing at The Oaks Stud, NZ
Her biggest claim to fame is being a half-sister to the outstanding international racehorse and stallion in So You Think (NZ) he had an outstanding racing career winning 14 times from 1400 metres to 2100 metres. Included in his tally was success in 1 Group 1 races in Australia, Ireland and Great Britain. He has so far sire 59 stakes winners including 11 at the elite Group 1-level.
Last Souvenir’s grandam Triassic (NZ) (Tights {USA}) was also a talented mare winning the G2 Sir Tristam Fillies Classic and the Listed Soliloquy S. She has been a very good broodmare obviously by leaving So You Think but she also left eight other individual winners. As highlighted by his name, Last Souvenir was the last foal that La Souvenir produced.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 7.30pm AEDT (6.30pm local), Treasure Electrical Mdn H., $30,000, 1600m
Wowzino (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tarzino {NZ} x Walk On Water {GB} {Exceed And Excel})
The David Vandyke-trained Wowzino (NZ) will have his fourth start at the Sunshine Coast on Friday over 1600 metres. On debut he ran a great race for second at Eagle Farm over 1300 metres behind the very talented gelding Can’t Recall One (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}). Then at his second start at the Sunshine Coast he stormed home from well back in the field to run second to Brutal Bowler (Brutal {NZ}). After a break he slightly disappointed fresh-up at Doomben on October 30 behind Divine Diamonds (Divine Prophet), but it did look like he would improve with the run and take benefit from the outing.
This Tarzino (NZ) gelding is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Walk On Water (GB), who was a twotime winner as a juvenile in Great Britain. She has left 4 winners including Hydroplane (Ire) (Pour Moi {Ire}), Hello Mary Lou (NZ) (Pour Moi), Highfaluting (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Showing Off (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}).
Wowzino (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Walk On Water is a half-sister to the talented Tavistock (NZ) filly Tavy (NZ), she was successful in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial as a 3-year old at Ellerslie. Since producing Wowzino, Walk On Water has produced a Saville Row (NZ) yearling colt foal and she was most recently served last spring by Sweynesse.
Other stakes winners in the pedigree are Tully Dane (Danehill {USA}), Good Faith (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}), Mygoodgrace (Royal Academy {USA}), Believe Yourself (Sebring) and What’s New (NZ) (Casino Prince).
Wowzino was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Rick Connolley Bloodstock from the draft of Landsdowne Park Ltd at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Angel Of The Sea (Harry Angel {Ire}) ran a nice third at Moe on debut, she looks a promising filly.
Scottie's Legacy (Almanzor {Fr}) was scratched from her race at Moe, she will keep for another day.
Shalaa Gold (Shalaa {Ire}) was beaten right on the line to run another second. He deserves a winning turn soon.
