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 will aim to give you something to follow.
On Friday, in Canberra, a half-brother to a Group 3-winning stallion steps out for Gary Portelli, at Geelong, a filly out of a Group 1 winner debuts, while at the Sunshine Coast, a recent winner looks to retain her perfect record.
Canberra Acton, Race 1, 11.55am AEST, John McGrath Auto Group H., $20,000, 1206m
Feudalist (Capitalist) debuts for Gary Portelli having had a couple of trials this time in, including a third behind subsequent metropolitan winner Huesca (Not A Single Doubt) at Randwick last time out. He settled close and just lacked the turn of foot to go with the front two there and this looks the right level for him to kick things off.
Feudalist as a yearling
This colt was an $80,000 buy for Elite Thoroughbreds from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Stryker, who is a Group 1-producing stallion. Their dam, Laetitia (Woodman {USA}), has also produced the stakes-placed trio Exceed And Exalt (Exceed And Excel), Puerto Manus (Encosta De Lago) and Seeking Attention (Exceed And Excel), who is also the dam of South African Listed winner Buckinghampshire (Lonhro).
Geelong, Race 2, 1pm AEST, Geelong Homes 2YO Fillies' Mdn, $35,000, 1112m
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Nabbed (NZ) (Written Tycoon) is the first of the progeny of G1 Champagne S. winner Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel) to make it to the track. This filly was a NZ$320,000 buy for Mitchell Bloodstock and G1 Goldmine at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
Nabbed (NZ) as a yearling
Pasadena Girl may have made her name in longer races, and ran fourth in a VRC Oaks as a 3-year-old, but it is worth remembering that she won the Listed Talindert S. over 1100 metres on debut.
Nabbed was given a soft time in a recent jump-out at St Arnaud, winning easily in a manner of a filly who can make quick progress through her classes.
Sunshine Coast, Race 2, 3.17pm AEST, Think Investment Realty QTIS 2YO Class 1 Plate, $25,000, 1000m
The Natalie McCall-trained Sweet Margot May (I Am Invincible) impressed with her debut win, coming from off the pace to prove too strong late and win by 1l on the line. This is a step up in class, but she looks to be a filly on the improve.
Sweet Margot May as a yearling
She was purchased from the Yarraman Park draft for $250,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and is a sister to the winner Purton. She is out of metropolitan-winning Redoute's Choice mare You Can Dance, who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 2 winner Cayambe (Danehill {USA}). Both of those mares are out of the Listed winner Laurel Grove (Bluebird {USA}) and are from a family which produced the multiple Group 1 winner and stallion Grosvenor (NZ).
