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.
Saturday will see two very well-bred juveniles debut in search of an all important black-type victory in Sydney at Rosehill Gardens. While Annabel Neasham will send out her well-related filly in search of a maiden victory at Flemington.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 2, 12.55pm AEDT, G3 Pago Pago S., $200,000, 1200m
Limburg, 2-year-old colt (Justify {USA} x Maastricht {NZ} {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
The Hawkes Racing camp will debut the regally bred Limburg in Saturday’s G3 Pago Pago S. at Rosehill Gardens. The son of the US Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) was placed in a 900-metre trial at Rosehill Gardens on February 27 in preparation for this assignment. Ryan Maloney has been booked to the colt, and the pair will jump from barrier 11.
Limburg as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Limburg is the fourth foal from the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Maastricht (NZ). Maastricht won the G2 Edward Manifold S. and is a half-sister to Velocitea (NZ), the daughter of Volksraad (GB), who won the G1 Goodwood H. However, Maastricht is best remembered for her exploits as a broodmare being the dam of Loving Gaby, the daughter of I Am Invincible who was crowned the 2019/20 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia.
When consigned by Kia Ora Stud, Limburg was a $1 million yearling purchase by Hawkes Racing from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 4, 2.05pm AEDT, G3 Magic Night S., $200,000, 1200m
Tiz Invincible, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Amuletum {GB} {New Approach {Ire}})
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will debut a filly with an extensive pedigree in Saturday’s G2 Magic Night S. at Rosehill Gardens. In preparation for Saturday’s assignment Tiz Invincible won a 1030-metre trial at Rosehill Gardens on February 27. Zac Lloyd has been engaged to ride the filly, and the pair will jump from the barrier 11.
Tiz Invincible as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tiz Invincible is from the New Approach (Ire) mare Amuletum (GB), a winner in Great Britain. Amuletum is a daughter of the Redoute’s Choice mare Anamato, a winner of the G1 Australasian Oaks. This makes Amuletum a half-sister to Godolphin’s superstar Anamoe, a son of Street Boss (USA), who has won eight Group 1 races to date. Furthermore, this is the family of great campaigner Grand Armee, the son of Hennessy (USA) who won seven times at the elite level.
The filly was a $550,000 purchase from the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Bahen Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing in conjunction with Eric Lucas when consigned by Segenehoe Thoroughbreds.
Flemington, Race 4, 2.20pm AEDT, G2 Sires’ Produce S., $300,000, 1400m
Portorosa, 2-year-old filly (Not A Single Doubt x Laguna Azzurra {Jpn} {Heart’s Cry {Jpn}})
Annabel Neasham brings her 2-year-old Portorosa to Flemington on Saturday in search of a maiden victory. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt was last seen in the G2 Sweet Embrace S. at Randwick on February 25, over 1200 metres, where she was unplaced. The step-up in distance looks suitable for the filly. Sam Clipperton has been engaged to ride, and the pair will jump from barrier eight.
Portorosa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Portorosa brings a prominent Japanese family to Flemington. She is from the Heart’s Cry (Jpn) mare Laguna Azzurra (Jpn), a winner over 1800 metres in Japan. Laguna Azzura is a half-sister to Seewind (Jpn), a son of Deep Impact (Jpn), he was a multiple Group 3 winner and Group 2 placed. Furthermore, this is the family of the Damascus (USA) mare Pacific Princess (USA), who won the G1 Delaware Oaks, and the Deep Impact stallion Kizuna (Jpn), who was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Colt in Japan in 2013.
The filly was a $650,000 yearling purchase by Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire in conjunction with TFI Ladies from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Arrowfield Stud.
Looking Back
Friday’s selection’s got off to a great start with Tony Gollan’s daughter of Spirit Of Boom, Liquor, breaking her maiden on debut. While at Pakenham, the Zoustar colt Orion The Hunter was unplaced in his debut; however, the Tivaci filly Free Willed (NZ) ran well into second at her first start in Race 2 at Pakenham.
