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 3-year-olds are set to hit the track across Australia on Tuesday. A Calyx (GB) gelding looks to break his maiden at Grafton while a progressive Unite And Conquer gelding chases maiden success at Horsham.
Grafton, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Vines At 139 Country Boosted Maiden Plate, $30,000, 1006m
Humphree Bear, 3-year-old gelding (Calyx {GB} x Charlee Bear {Choisir})
Grafton’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the third start of Humphree Bear, a 3-year-old son of Calyx (GB) from the Donna Grisedale stable. He ran fourth on debut at Coffs Harbour on December 14, then after a stable change he won a trial at Coffs Harbour before running a very good second at Grafton on January 27 over 1000 metres behind Ocean Proud (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).
Humphree Bear is the third foal out of Charlee Bear (Choisir) who was a seven-time winner up to 1100 metres.
Humphree Bear as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The family page is a bit quiet in terms of having Group performers close in the page but his grandam Baby Angel (Lucky Owners {NZ}) is very well-related being a half-sister to four individual stakes winners including Hoystar (Danzero), Sportsman (Supremo {USA}), Prisoner Of Love (Canny Lad) and King Of Prussia. She is also a half-sister to Soho Secret (Lucky Owners {NZ}) who is the dam of Vanbrugh who was successful in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes and he now stands at stud at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand. He has had some success with the best of his progeny being the dual Group 1 winner Mustang Valley (NZ).
Charlee Bear, since producing Humphree Bear, has left a 2-year-old colt by Calyx, foaled an Exosphere filly last spring before subsequently getting served by King’s Legacy.
Humphree Bear was purchased for $25,000 by Greg Kilner from the draft of Townson Lodge at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2.
Horsham, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, bet365 Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1100m
City United, 3-year-old gelding (Unite And Conquer x Nic City {Nicconi})
Horsham’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the fourth start of City United, a son of Unite And Conquer from the Michael Hickmott stable. He has placed in all three of his career starts in Queensland and South Australia and looks hard to beat in this maiden event.
City United is the second foal out of Nic City (Nicconi) who was a winner at 1200 metres.
City United as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
His grandam Yippity (Delago Brom) is a half-sister to Yippyio (Interstellar {NZ}) who was a 14-time winner who tasted success in the G1 Brisbane Cup and the G1 Queensland Derby and won over $2.2 million. She is also a half-sister to the Listed winner Tyrolean (Danehill {USA}) and Iglesia who was a dual Group winner but also most famously is the sire of the Champion sire Written Tycoon.
City United was purchased by Bloodstock Solutions from the draft of Kingstar Farm for $50,000 from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Kellanzor (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) - was impressive winning at Gore, she put the field away in stylish fashion and could be one to follow.
Cinch (Dundeel {NZ}) - won very nicely at Sale, she had very solid form beforehand and the well-bred filly deserved maiden success.
