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 at Pakenham on Thursday. An I Am Invincible 2-year-old colt makes his debut, a promising Tarzino (NZ) gelding looks hard to beat over 1400 metres and a Trapeze Artist filly chases maiden success.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, Sheen Panel Service Pakenham 2YO Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Vinrock, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Girl Gone Rockin’ {Redoute’s Choice})
The Matt Laurie-trained Vinrock (I Am Invincible) will make his debut at Pakenham on Thursday and looks hard to beat on the back of some tidy jump out and trial form in recent months. At his last trial at Cranbourne on February 3 he ran a solid second behind the consistent 3-year-old Markdel (Snitzel) over 1000 metres.
Vinrock is the third live-foal from the talented Redoute’s Choice mare Girl Gone Rockin’ who won just under $300,000 on the track including the G2 Matriarch Stakes.
Vinrock as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Girl Gone Rockin’s first two foals to race have both been winners including Maisy (Pierro) who has been a two-time winner and Rocky Rogue (Written Tycoon) who has also won twice.
Girl Gone Rockin’ since producing Vinrock has left a yearling filly by Pierro and was served by Churchill (Ire) last spring.
Vinrock sold for $300,000 at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale with Matt Laurie Racing and Wilannah Park Bloodstock being the successful purchaser from the draft of Rosemont Stud.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 5, 7.45pm AEDT, Sportsbet Future Star Series Heat 12 - (QC) - Repechage Maiden, $75,000, 1400m
High Praise (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tarzino {NZ} x Hemem {Redoute’s Choice})
The Greg Eurell-trained High Praise (NZ) will have his second start at Pakenham on Thursday over 1400 metres. He looked very good on debut at the same track on February 6 when he was attacking the line strongly behind Illuminance (Headwater) over 1200 metres, the step up in distance looks ideal for him.
This Tarzino (NZ) gelding is the seventh live-foal out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Memem, who was a three-time winner on the track up to 1250 metres.
High Praise (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Overall the family is a bit quiet of black-type performers but there are some lovely pedigree influences throughout including Danehill (USA), Montjeu (Ire), Quest For Fame (GB), Canny Lad, Don’t Say Halo (USA) and Nijinsky II (Can).
High Praise is also bred on the exact Tarzino/Redoute’s Choice cross as the G1 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) who is now at stud in Japan.
High Praise was a $100,000 purchase by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA)/G1 Goldmine/Greg Eurell from the draft of Woburn Farm at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 6, 8.15pm AEDT, Vale Marg McDonald Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1600m
Fumage, 3-year-old filly (Trapeze Artist x Firemaid {USA} {Machiavellian {USA}})
Pakenham’s Thursday meeting will be the venue for the third start for the well-bred Fumage (Trapeze Artist). This promising filly ran a solid enough race when running fifth on debut at Sale behind Sepals (Calyx {GB}) and then ran a great race at Geelong on January 28 when running second behind Fontaine Rouge (Justify {USA}).
The well-related filly is the sixth live-foal from the Machiavellian (USA) mare Firemaid (USA), who was a two-time winner on the track and has then went on to become a very successful broodmare leaving four individual winners.
Trapeze Artist | Standing at Widden Stud
The best of these have clearly been the classy Shamal Wind (Dubawi {Ire}), she was an eight-time winner with her best win being in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, she was also successful another three times at Listed level and has subsequently gone on to leave five individual winners herself. Sebfire (Sebring) has also been a two-time winner and Listed placed and her other winners have been Lakota Fire (Sioux Nation {USA}) and Samoon (Fastnet Rock).
Firemaid since producing Fumage has left a yearling filly by Toronado (Ire), and foaled a Pinatubo (Ire) filly in September.
Looking Back
Best Rose (Maurice {Jpn}) - won very nicely at Riccarton, she looks a filly that is up to securing black-type this preparation. Her jockey Michael McNab was impressed and commented "She's a little ripper, we jumped well, cleared them, kicked away and did a really good job."
Alabama Fox (Alabama Express) - Was again scratched, she will have to keep for another day.
Superfluous (Needs Further) - won in narrow but impressive fashion at Belmont, he looks a talented gelding and is one to follow.
