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 Thursday. A U S Navy Flag (USA) 2-year-old gelding makes his debut at Waverley after looking sharp at the trials, and a progressive Tarzino (NZ) gelding chases maiden success at Pakenham.
Waverley, Race 2, 11.02am AEDT (1.02pm local), Hawken Contracting Maiden 2YO, $18,500, 1200m
The Espy (NZ), 2-year-old gelding (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Leica Lady {NZ} {Bachelor Duke {USA}})
The Espy (NZ) is set to make his debut over 1200 metres for trainer Andrew Forsman at Waverley on Thursday. He looked very sharp winning at the Ellerslie trials on February 11, when he defeated Florescence (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) by 2.75l over 800 metres.
The Espy (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The Espy is by U S Navy Flag (USA) and is the third live-foal out of the Bachelor Duke (USA) mare Leica Lady (NZ), who was a winner over 1600 metres in New Zealand. She has already left two winners, Leica Model (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Genteel (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}).
Leica Lady is a half-sister to Nothin Leica Cat (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), she was a very useful filly, placing in the G1 Queensland Oaks. She has gone on to excel as a broodmare leaving three individual stakes-winners, they are Stampede (High Chaparral {Ire}), Thinkin’ Big (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Just Thinkin’ (So You Think {NZ}).
Since producing The Espy, Leica Lady has left a yearling full brother and was once again served by U S Navy Flag last spring.
Forsman Racing purchased The Espy for NZ$100,000 from the draft of The Oaks Stud at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Bridgestone Select Pakenham Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1600m
High Praise (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tarzino {NZ} x Hemem {Redoute’s Choice})
The Greg Eurell-trained High Praise (NZ) will have his third start at Pakenham on Thursday over 1600 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. He then battled on well at Pakenham over 1400 metres behind Nic’s Choice (Nicconi) on February 20.
High Praise (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This Tarzino (NZ) gelding is the seventh live-foal out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Hemem, who was a three-time winner on the track up to 1250 metres.
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.
Looking Back
Suances (The Autumn Sun) - was late scratched at Sandown, she will keep for another day.
Pula (Pierro) - was extremely unlucky running fourth at Sandown, she was locked away on the inside without clear running throughout. A clear forgive run.
