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 runners are looking for success across Australia on Thursday. A well-bred Written Tycoon filly chases maiden success at Kyneton, and a well-performed Snitzel 2-year-old filly looks very hard to beat at Pakenham
Bet 365-Kyneton, Race 3, 3pm AEDT, Les McGowan Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1203m
Queen Katrina, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Lucky Raquie {Encosta De Lago})
The beautifully-bred Queen Katrina (Written Tycoon) is set to make her second start over 1100 metres at Kyneton on Thursday. On debut, she ran a solid second at Ballarat, when she was just run down by Altermatum (Zosustar) on March 26.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained runner is the fifth foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Lucky Raquie. She was the winner of the Listed Black Opal Stakes as a juvenile.
Queen Katrina as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Queen Katrina’s third dam is the great mare Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad), she will forever have a lasting influence on the breed in Australasia, as she left the Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, Manhattan Rain, Platinum Scissors, Echoes Of Heaven and the talented stakes winning and producing Sliding Cube (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Lucky Raquie, since producing Queen Katrina, has left a Maurice (Jpn) 2-year-old colt, a Too Darn Hot (GB) yearling filly, and unfortunately she missed to King Colorado last spring.
Yu Long Investments Australia was the purchaser for $320,000 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Magic MIllions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Pakenham Race 1, 5.15pm AEDT, Pro Lift Garage Doors 2YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1100m
Pure Passion, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Snogging {I Am Invincible})
Pakenham’s 2-year-old race is where Pure Passion (Snitzel) will have her fourth start, and looks a huge chance of winning, dropping back to maiden grade. The well-bred daughter of Snitzel, from the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable has run three very good placings in her career, including at Group 3 and Listed level.
Pure Passion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pure Passion is out of the talented mare Snogging (I Am Invincible), who was successful four times from 1300 metres to 1600 metres, she also placed in the G2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, and the Listed Centaurea Stakes. Further back in the family are the talented New Zealand-bred trio of El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), Chocante (NZ) (Shocking) and Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Snogging’s further progeny since producing Pure Passion, includes a yearling filly by Stay Inside, a weanling filly by Snitzel and subsequently she was served by Coolmore Stud’s Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
Pure Passion was purchased for $950,000 by KPW Bloodstock from the draft of Silverdale Farm, from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Chicama (Written Tycoon) - ran a solid third at Hawkesbury, a win is getting close.
Buckeye (Zousain) - was a touch unlucky at Hawkesbury, he didn't get a clear run in the home straight and finished seventh.
Full Hao (Castelvecchio) - won nicely, she burst through the inside, and won with a touch of class.
