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.
A big day of racing right around the country on Saturday and we've found three runners to keep an eye on. The first is a son of Caravaggio (USA), who heads to Flemington, having won well on debut. We then head to Murray Bridge, where Dalasan's (Dalakhani {Ire}) half-sister is on debut. And we come home with a beautifully bred filly at Newcastle, who also steps out for the first time.
Flemington, Race 1, 12.10pm AEST, VRC Member Damian Cubela Plate, $150,000, 1410m
Palaggio, 3-year-old gelding (Caravaggio {USA} x Rocket Commander {Court Command})
A homebred for Robert Crabtree, this gelding heads to Flemington for his second start, having bolted in on debut at Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic last month.
He steps up from 1200 metres to 1410 metres here, but that shouldn’t pose an issue, and he should get a lovely run on the speed with Linda Meech to steer.
Caravaggio (USA) | Standing at Coolmore America
Palaggio is a half-brother to Echuca maiden winner San Telmos Fire (Brazen Beau) and among his dam’s seven wins was a Group 3 triumph.
The gelding is related to stakes winners – Slightly Pink (Whiskey Road {USA}), Our Bellition (Success Express {USA}), Bellition (NZ) (Bellborough {Ire}), The Judge, Victoria Peak (Showdown {GB) and Yorick (Crown Jester).
Murray Bridge GH, Race 1, 12.22pm AEST, In Memory Of Caitlin Forrest 3YO Mdn Plate, $41,000, 1200m
Party Princess, 3-year-old filly (So You Think {NZ} x Khandallah {Kitten’s Joy {USA}})
The Toorak Thoroughbred Breeding Trust bred this filly, who was sold from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bought by Macdonald Gluyas Racing for $300,000.
Party Princess as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is from two-time winner and Listed placegetter Khandallah, making her a half-sister to the stable’s Group 2 winner Dalasan. Party Princess is also related to stakes winner Great Neck (USA) (Tentam {USA}).
Party Princess heads into her debut off the back of one trial at Murray Bridge on February 24 and will be ridden by apprentice Teagan Voorham.
Newcastle Race 2, 12.50pm AEST, Terrace Trusses “Jockey Celebration Day” Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1400m
Jolted, 3-year-old filly (Deep Impact {Jpn} x Abbey Marie {Redoute’s Choice})
This filly was a $900,000 yearling buy from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She was bought by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing.
Jolted is set to debut after trials, with the John Sargent-trained filly to be ridden by apprentice Bailey Wheeler.
Jolted as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is out of Group 1 heroine Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) and from the family of stakes winners Absolutely (Redoute’s Choice), Runaway (Manhattan Rain) and Kinshasa No Kiseki. Also on her page is dual group 1 winner Nettoyer (Dehere {USA}).
Looking Back
Shearman Dyer (Teofilo {Ire}) was our lone runner on Friday, after the Scone meeting was postponed. The 4-year-old was well supported, but failed to fire, finishing out of the money.
