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. These include a Grunt (NZ) gelding making his debut at Cranbourne, a Capitalist filly chases maiden success at Canterbury and a promising The Autumn Sun filly looks hard to beat at Murwillumbah.
Cranbourne, Race 6, 8.26pm AEDT, Frankston Sand & Soil Mdn Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Leg Drive, 3-year-old gelding (Grunt (NZ) x Shantha’s Girl {Redoute’s Choice})
The Matt Laurie-trained Leg Drive (Grunt {NZ}) will make his debut over 1100 metres at Cranbourne on Friday on the back of a tidy jump out victory at Mornington on November 20 over 900 metres when defeating Aussie Adaptor (Master Of Design).
Leg Drive is the 10th live-foal from the Redoute’s Choice mare Shantha’s Girl, who was unraced on the track. She has gone on to become a handy broodmare leaving four winners including Violate (Sebring) who was a four-time winning gelding with the best of his wins being in the G3 Shaftesbury Avenue H., and the Listed Sofitel H.
Her other winners include Fill Me Up (Zouzou), Zoology (Zizou) and Sonic The Hedgehog (American Pharoah {USA}).
Grunt (NZ) | Standing at Yulong
This family has so much depth to it, Shantha’s Girl’s grandam Sky Cuddle (Snippets) was also a very good race mare. She was a six-time winner from 1200 metres to 1600 metres including in the G1 Emirates S., G2 Rose Of Kingston S., and the G3 Spring S.
Other stakes horses within this outstanding page are Fast Clip (Snippetson), Undeniably (Fastnet Rock), Hint (Reset), Amor Victorious (Caravaggio {USA}), Sky Command (Deep Field), A Lot More Love (Sebring), Sky Love (Octagonal {NZ}), Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) and Highly Recommended.
Since producing Leg Drive, Shantha’s Girl has produced a 2-year-old colt by Tagaloa, a yearling filly by Lucky Vega (Ire) and was not served in 2023.
Canterbury Park, Race 3, 7pm AEDT, Quayclean Mdn H., $60,000, 1100m
Blanc De Noir, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x War Flower {War Pass {USA}})
The well-bred Blanc De Noir is set to make her second start over 1100 metres for Randwick trainer Michael Freedman at Canterbury on Friday. She ran very well for third on debut at Hawkesbury on November 21 behind Blue Illusion (Blue Point {Ire}).
Blanc De Noir is the fifth foal out of the War Pass (USA) mare War Flower, who was a winner at 900 metres on the track. She has already proven to be okay as a broodmare leaving three winners including Lovemetender (Testa Rossa), Test Of War (Testa Rossa) and Testa’s Flower (Testa Rossa).
Blanc De Noir as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This family has so plenty of depth to it further back and includes the very handy group winners La Rose Noir (NZ) (Centaine), Espurante (Flying Spur), Red Eclipse (Red Dazzler), No Excuse Maggie (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), Storyville (Overshare), Tootsie (NZ) (Pins), Ocean Emperor (NZ), Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel), Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) and Bellacontte (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).
Since producing Blanc De Noir, War Flower has left a 2-year-old Pariah colt named Luke Skywalker and unfortunately passed away in August this year.
Murwillumbah, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Desire Contractors Country Boosted Mdn H., $30,000, 1100m
November Sun, 3-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Iffranesia (Fr) {Iffraaj {GB}})
Murwillumbah’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the third start for the well-bred November Sun. Trained by Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah, she failed on debut at Doomben on June 12 when she was backed strongly, she then had a break and resumed nicely for a third placing at Eagle Farm on November 5 behind Dismantle (Spirit Of Boom). Since then she has had a nice maintenance trial at Grafton on November 25 when running third.
November Sun is by Arrowfield Stud’s very promising sire in The Autumn Sun who unfortunately had to rest the 2024 breeding season due to injury. She has a very strong pedigree with her page full of influential international stallions including Zafonic (USA), Danehill (USA), Galileo (Ire), Anabaa (USA), Nureyev (USA), Sharpen Up (GB), Darshaan (GB) and Lear Fan (USA).
November Sun as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Her dam Iffranesia (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}) was a nine-time winning sprinter who won the Listed Prix de Bonneval, and managed placings in the Listed Prix Hampton, Listed Abergwaun S., and the G2 Flying Five S.
Since producing November Sun, Iffranesia has produced a 2-year-old colt named Beadman (Snitzel) and most recently foaled a Snitzel colt in September earlier this spring.
At her most recent visit to the sales, November Sun failed to meet her reserve at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sigiriya Rock (Alabama Express) won nicely at Caulfield, he led all of the way and won softly in the end.
Shambretta (NZ) (Shamexpress [GB}) was a touch disappointing running fifth at Kembla Grange.
Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) was a very impressive winner at Ellerslie, he won in dominant fashion and looks a horse that has any amount of ability. He is clearly one to follow.
