Looking Ahead highlights runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally well-bred or high-priced runner early in their career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. A well-bred U S Navy Flag (USA) filly chases maiden success at Hawera, a promising Written Tycoon colt is in the 2-year-old race at Randwick-Kensington, and a Capitalist colt looks hard to beat at Sandown.
Hawera, Race 2, 12.02pm, AEDT (2.02pm local), Trans Ag Maiden, $25,000, 1200m
Fleur De Blues (NZ), 3-year-old filly (U S Navy Flag (USA) x Honfleur (NZ) {Fastnet Rock})
The Debbie Harris-trained Fleur De Blues (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), will make her second start at Hawera on Wednesday after running a very tidy third, at Wanganui on debut behind Colour Chart (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) on February 21.
The promising filly is the second foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Honfleur (NZ), who was placed on the track in New Zealand.
U S Navy Flag (USA) | Standing at The Oaks Stud
This family has plenty of depth and amongst Honfleur’s (NZ) half-siblings, include the Champion 3-year-old Filly Shamrocker (NZ) {O’Reilly}, the G1 Auckland Cup winner Rock Diva (NZ) {Lucky Unicorn}, and the Group winners Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), and Vernanme (NZ) {O’Reilly}.
Since producing Fleur De Blues, Honfleur has produced an Ace High yearling filly and she was most recently served by Ace High again last spring.
Fleur De Blues was a NZD$160,000 purchase by Hughes Bloodstock, from the draft of Valachi Downs at the 2022 Karaka National Weanling Sale.
Randwick-Kensington, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, CHC Powering The Chase 2YO Handicap, $60,000, 1100m
Grand Prairie, 2-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x Viddora {I Am Invincible})
The well-bred Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon), is set to make his second start over 1100 metres for Randwick trainer Peter Snowden, on his home track on Wednesday. He ran an excellent race for second on debut on the same track, when he was charging home behind Stormland (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) on March 13.
Grand Prairie is the second live-foal from the talented sprinter Viddora (I Am Invincible), she won nine times on the track including the G1 AJ Moir Stakes and the G1 Winterbottom Stakes.
Grand Prairie as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Her grandam is Snow Flight (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}), who has been a very consistent producer leaving seven winners. Aside from leaving the aforementioned Viddora, she has left the winners Relentless Me (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), Jump’n Fly (I Am Invincible), Jenni The Jet (Hellbent), Shadow Chaser (Super One), Magnaflight (Magnus) and Snowplough (Fiorente {Ire}).
Since producing Grand Prairie, Viddora has left a filly by Diatonic (Jpn) in September last spring and was subsequently served by Pierata.
Grand Prairie was passed in short of his $500,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 1, 2.30pm, AEDT, Sportsbet Fast Form 2YO Handicap, $55,000, 1000m
Facilitate, 2-year-old colt (Capitalist x Medic {Snitzel})
Sandown’s Wednesday meeting will be the venue for the second start of Facilitate (Capitalist). This promising juvenile ran a very good second at Moonee Valley on debut on February 21 behind Eternal Darkness (I Am Immortal).
The sharply-bred colt is the first foal from the Snitzel mare Medic, who was placed on the track.
Medic is very well-related being a sister to Estijaab (Snitzel) and Remarque (Snitzel), Estijaab was successful in the G1 Golden Slipper and the G2 Reisling Stakes, Remarque won the G3 Concorde Stakes amongst his five wins up to 1200 metres.
Facilitate as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Facilitate’s grandam is the super 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
Zouper Fund (Zoustar) -was an impressive winner at Ballarat at good odds, the blinkers looked like they helped, and he won in dominant fashion.
Thinxzo (So You Think {NZ}) - ran a solid third at Ballarat, he had every chance but he ran an honest race .
