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.
Two exciting 2-year-old runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Sunday. A promising U S Navy Flag (USA) gelding takes his place at Tauranga, and a well-bred I Am Invincible colt chases maiden success at Wellington.
Tauranga, Race 4, 12.25pm AEDT (2.25pm local), Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge & Tauranga 2yo Maiden, $18,500, 1100m
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 second start over 1100 metres for trainer Andrew Forsman at Tauranga on Sunday. He ran an honest race on debut at Waverley for fifth, behind Pacific Breeze (North Pacific), when he just peaked on his run late.
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}).
The Epsy (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Leica Lady is a half-sister to Nothin Leica Cat (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), she was a talented filly, and placed in the G1 Queensland Oaks. She has gone onto 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.
Wellington, Race 7, 4.30pm AEDT, Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club Wellington Boot Showcase, $200,000, 1100m
Invincible Phantom, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Miss Carlotta {Redoute’s Choice})
The well-bred I Am Invincible colt, Invincible Phantom, is set to make his second start over 1100 metres at Wellington, for trainer Bjorn Baker on Sunday. He ran, a very good race for fourth, at Kensington, where he only faded very late, after getting in a bit of a speed dual. In that race he was only beaten 0.83l behind Stormland (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}).
Invincible Phantom as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Invincible Phantom is the first foal out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Miss Carlotta, she has a great page, being a three-quarter-sister to Albrecht, and Autumn Ballet (The Autumn Sun), who were both Group winners on the track.
Further back this is the outstanding family of the stallions Lonhro, Niello, and Cylinder.
Miss Carlotta has since foaled a Maurice (Jpn) colt, last spring and was subsequently served by Native Trail (GB).
Invincible Phantom was purchased by Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) for $160,000, from the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.
Looking Back
All of our runners were unfortunately scratched with all of the abandoned meetings around Australia. They will keep for another day.
