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-old runners are looking for success at Canberra on Sunday. A promising D'Argento gelding resumes and a well-bred Alabama Express filly makes her debut.
Canberra, Race 1, 11.36am AEDT, TAB Federal Riharna Thomson Maiden Handicap, $30,000, 1000m
Teylu, 3-year-old gelding (D'Argento x Cloud Seeder {Snitzel})
Teylu, a son of D'Argento, will make his third start over 1000 metres on Sunday for local trainer Gratz Vella. In his first preparation, he ran two very good seconds, and he looks hard to beat resuming here on the back of a tidy third at the Goulburn trials on February 28.
Teylu is the fifth foal out of the Snitzel mare Cloud Seeder, who was a winner over 1000 metres. She has left the winners Big Boys Club (Nicconi) and Nicconi Rain (Nicconi).
Teylu as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cloud Seeder is a full sister to the talented juvenile Thwayya (Snitzel) who was three-time winner and precocious enough to place in the Listed Star Way Stakes at Te Rapa.
She has an interesting duplication of Redoute’s Choice in her pedigree; her sire D’Argento is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare and her dam-sire Snitzel, is by Redoute’s Choice himself.
Teylu was a $50,000 purchase by her trainer from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Canberra, Race 4, 1.22pm AEDT, Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Plate, $30,000, 1300m
Alabama Fox, 3-year-old filly (Alabama Express x Foxplay {Foxwedge})
The well-bred and promising Alabama Fox is set to make her debut over 1300 metres for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald at Canberra on Sunday. She has looked talented at the trials, winning her last one in stylish fashion at Rosehill when beating Hampden (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) by 0.65l on February 3.
Alabama Fox as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Alabama Fox is by Alabama Express and is the third foal out of the very talented Foxwedge mare Foxplay, who was classy enough to win the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Her five wins also include the G2 Phar Lap Stakes, G2 Tea Rose Stakes, and G2 Furious Stakes.
Foxplay is also well-related, being a three-quarter-sister to the Listed-placed El Rocko (Fastnet Rock) and out of the American Listed winner Butters (USA) (El Prado {USA}).
Since producing Alabama Fox, Foxplay has left a yearling colt by Written Tycoon and was served last spring by Yulong Stud’s Pierata last spring.
Annabel Neasham Racing and Mitchell Bloodstock purchased Alabama Fox for $300,000 from the draft of Yulong at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Pure Passion - a gallant third behind talented fillies Military Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Gin Spirit (Spirit Of Boom). More to give in the future.
Heavenly Conquest - Last horse home. Not her day.
Vinrock - justified favouritism with a decisive 2l victory.
