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 Sunday, we begin with two selections at Ballarat, first Yaltara (I Am Invincible) attempts to get off the mark, before Zagora (Shooting To Win) looks to break the ice in the next race on the card. Our final pick is Writrose (Written Tycoon), who runs in the third race on the Hawkesbury card.
Ballarat, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, AJM Contracting Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1000m
Yaltara, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Taameer {NZ} {General Nediym})
Having run eighth on debut, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Yaltara will be looking to get off the mark at the second time of asking and she will jump from barrier nine with Harry Coffey booked to take the ride.
The 3-year-old filly was purchased by her trainers for $550,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and she is out of Listed winner Taameer (NZ) who is also the dam of Group 3-winning pair Khulaasa (Epaulette) and Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}).
Yaltara as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Nigel Austin and Anthony Mithen secured Bulbula and Khulaasa at the Magic Millions National Broodmare for $1.350 million apiece, while they secured Bulbula’s Group 3-winning daughter Aryaaf (Epaulette) for $800,000 at the same sale.
Ballarat, Race 2, 1.50pm AEDT, Bartlett Blinds 3YO Mdn Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Zagora, 3-year-old colt (Shooting To Win x Kazanluk {Red Ransom {USA}})
The James Cummings-trained Zagora ran second on his most recent start and he will attempt to get off the mark on his fourth attempt. The colt will line up in barrier five with Blake Shinn booked to take the ride.
The son of Shooting To Win is out of G2 Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic winner Kazanluk, who has produced one winner to date.
Shooting To Win | Standing at Oaklands Park Stud
Kazanluk herself is out of three-time Group 2 winner Rose Of Danehill (Danehill {USA}), making Zagora a half-brother to Group 3 winner Nozomi (Street Cry {Ire}).
Hawkesbury, Race 3, 2.45pm AEDT, Mining and Energy Union F&M Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1100m
Writrose, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Ballet Rose {Exceed And Excel})
Last seen running fourth, this Annabel Neasham-trained filly, Writrose, will be having her fifth career start and she will break from barrier 17 with Alysha Collett in the plate.
The filly was purchased by Iron and George Moore Bloodstock for $420,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021 and she is out of the winning Exceed And Excel mare Ballet Rose.
Writrose as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Ballet Rose herself is a daughter of three-time-winning Nureyev's Girl (Nureyev {USA}) and she in turn produced Group 2 scorer Hardham (Redoute’s Choice) and New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner King’s Rose (Redoute’s Choice) - the dam of Japanese Grade 3 scorer Satono Arthur (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Looking Back
Due to the wet weather, only one of our selections for Saturday got a run and that was King's Gambit (I Am Invincible), who galloped to an impressive 5l victory in the Listed Debutant S. at Caulfield.
