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.
Sunday’s racing at Bendigo and Dubbo features a number of lightly raced starters with notable pedigree and sale-ring credentials behind them.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12pm AEST, Bendigo Mazda 3YO Mdn Plate., $35,000, 1300m
Captain Corelli (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) makes his debut here in the Aquis colours. The 3-year-old is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and he will be ridden by Michael Walker.
The well-related colt was bought for NZ$225,000 from Haunui Farm’s draft at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Captain Corelli (NZ) as a yearling
His dam Floria (NZ) (Savabeel) was a high-class performer, winning the G2 Brisbane Cup, G3 Summoned S. and G3 Cuddle S. and placing in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara and six Group 2 races.
The immediate family features multiple Group 1 performers descending from the exceptional Solveig (NZ) (Imposing), including the 2017 Australian Derby hero Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}). Her 4-year-old Snitzel gelding Laureate (NZ) has been a placegetter, and she was served by Justify (USA) last season.
Bendigo, Race 3, 1.15pm AEST, Race Services 4YO+ Mdn Plate., $35,000, 1000m
This 1000 metre sprint features the $1.4 million yearling purchase Born A Warrior (I Am Invincible).
He may still be a maiden as a 4-year-old after four career appearances, but Born A Warrior has already proven that he measures up at stakes level. As a 2-year-old, he finished second in the G3 Pago Pago S. and third in the G2 Silver Slipper.
Born A Warrior as a yearling
Born A Warrior is a half-brother to G1 Newmarket H. winner The Quarterback (Street Boss {USA}) and G2 Tulloch S. and Alister Clark S. winner Philippi (Host {Chi}). The latter also finished second in the G1 Australian Derby. Another half-brother, The Rude Warrior (Kempinsky), has been stakes-placed in Singapore.
Born A Warrior was offered by Gilgai Farm at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was bought by JR Hawkes Pty Ltd and the Hawkes Family Trust.
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Born A Warrior will be ridden by Dwayne Dunn on Sunday.
Dubbo, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, John McKinnon Memorial BM58 H., $22,000, 1120m
Daredevil (I Am Invincible) makes his first start for new trainer Kody Nestor here, having won one of his seven starts for Peter and Paul Snowden. He was also a multiple trial winner during his time in the Snowden stable.
Daredevil was a $290,000 purchase from Element Hill’s draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, bought by James Harron Bloodstock.
Daredevil as a yearling
He is out of Tracy’s Image (Encosta De Lago), a winning half-sister to the six-time Group 1 winner and Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom).
Multiple stakes-winner Red Element (Red Ransom) and VRC Oaks placegetter Kylikwong (Red Ransom) are also half-siblings to Tracy’s Image, while three-quarter sister Lake Superior (Encosta De Lago) is the dam of last season’s Group 1-winning superstar 3-year-old Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).
Tracy’s Image is the dam of two foals to race, both of them winners. Redoute’s Image (Redoute’s Choice) was a 2-year-old winner in Sydney last season.
