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 promising Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly chases maiden success at Wanganui and a well-bred Capitalist 2-year-old makes his debut at Moonee Valley.
Wanganui, Race 4, 11.57am AEDT (1.57pm local), Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 3YO, $18,500, 1200m
Miss Fireball (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ten Sovereigns {Ire} x Schwarzlegga {Pins})
Wanganui's Friday meeting will serve as the venue for the second start of Miss Fireball (NZ), a 3-year-old daughter of Ten Sovereigns (Ire) from the in-form Bill Thurlow stable at Waverley. She looks very hard to beat in this event as she ran a luckless fifth last start at Waverley on January 29 behind Dramatic Miss (NZ) (El Roca), she had no room at the 100-metre mark and looked to be full of running.
Ten Sovereigns (Ire) | Standing at Celikoglu Stud
Miss Fireball is the third foal out of Schwarzlegga (Pins) who was a winner at 1200 metres. She has left the winners Kiva Han (NZ) (Bull Point) and Ponzi Pony (NZ) (Derryn).
The family page is a bit quiet in terms of having Group performers close in the page but she does have some lovely stallion influences throughout including Snippets, Unbridled’s Song (USA), Scat Daddy (USA), Exceed And Excel, Mr. Prospector (USA), and Kaoru Star.
Schwarzlegga, since producing Miss Fireball, unfortunately has only left a 2-year-old filly by Ace High before sadly passing away.
Miss Fireball was withdrawn from the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Moonee Valley, Race 3, 7.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Form Genius Handicap, $60,000, 1000m
Facilitate, 2-year-old colt (Capitalist x Medic {Snitzel})
Moonee Valley’s meeting will be the venue for the debut of the well-bred Capitalist colt Facilitate. This promising juvenile has looked smart winning three of his four jump outs including a tidy effort at Flemington on February 7 when defeating Rusky Ripper (Russian Revolution).
The sharply-bred colt is the first foal from the Snitzel mare Medic, who was placed on the track.
Facilitate as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Medic is very well-related being a sister to the talented gallopers Estijaab (Snitzel) and Remarque (Snitzel).
Estijaab was successful in the G1 Golden Slipper and the G2 Reisling Stakes and Remarque won the G3 Concorde Stakes amongst his five wins up to 1200 metres.
Facilitate’s grandam is the very talented sprinter Response (Charge Forward), she was successful four times with her major wins being in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, G1 Robert Sangster Stakes and the G3 Matron Stakes.
Medic, since producing Facilitate, has produced a yearling filly by Ole Kirk, foaled a Maurice (Jpn) filly last August and was subsequently served by Newhaven Park’s Mo’unga (NZ) last spring.
Facilitate sold for $370,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale with Baystone Farm being the successful purchaser from the draft of Newhaven Park.
Looking Back
Vinrock (I Am Invincible) - was an impressive winner, he relaxed well in a forward position and gave a lovely kick at the furlong marker to win stylishly.
High Praise (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) ran a solid second at Pakenham, he had every chance but in saying that he also looked like he will improve with racing and more distance.
Fumage (Trapeze Artist) - an an okay fifth at Pakenham, she had every chance and battled away in the straight.
