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 having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
On Saturday, we take in 2-year-old runners at New Plymouth, Eagle Farm and Morphettville, all of which have trialled well and have strong pedigrees.
Eagle Farm Race 2, Lunar New Year Raceday QTIS Two-Years-Old Hcp, $75,000, 1000m, 2:12pm AEDT
Garibaldi (I Am Invincible) was super impressive in a recent trial at Doomben and looks set to make a considerable impression on debut here for Tony Gollan and Jim Byrne.
He was a $475,000 buy at last year's Inglis Classic Sale out of the Exceed and Excel mare Sonnenblume, a three-quarter sister to both Group 1 winner Shinzig and Listed winner Strada out of Group 1 winning mare Shindig (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}). This colt's half-sister by Manhattan Rain, Consider It Done, has shown considerable promise for Team Hawkes while the other half sister by Sebring, Seeblume, is also a winner.
Garibaldi pictured as a yearling
Morphettville Race 1, 36 South Hcp, $45,000, 1000m, 1:56pm AEDT
Only a small field of 2-year-olds here but Written in Roses (Written Tycoon) looks well-placed off a recent Strathalbyn trial win. Trainer Tony McEvoy has a great record with his youngsters in the past 18 months.
She was a $250,000 buy at last year's Premier Sale and is raced by Yulong. Her half brother by Choisir, Tbilisi was a city winner back in November and the dam, Dubai Me Roses (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a half-sister to Listed winner Navy Shaker as well as the dam of stakes-winners Outlandish Lad and He'sfantastic.
Written in Roses pictured as a yearling
New Plymouth Race 4, G3 Woborn Farm 2YO Classic, $70,000, 2:10pm NZDT, 12:10pm AEDT
There are huge wraps on Jamie Richards' first starter here in Folk Dress (Pierro), who was a 7.5 length trial winner at Cambridge last month. Richards has a wealth of 2-year-old talent at his disposal, and trifectaed the Karaka Million last week and believes this filly can measure up to stakes company first-up.
She carries the Coolmore silks, having been withdrawn from last year's Karaka sales to race with Te Akau. She is out of the imported mare Gypsy Chimes (Snow Ridge {USA}), whose first foal Tamarama is already a winner in Australia. UK Group 3 winner La Chunga (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) is a half sister to the dam, and she has produced Listed winner Roheryn {Ire} (Galileo {Ire}).
Folk Dress pictured as a yearling
