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 early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia and New Zealand on Saturday, including two expensive I Am Invincible two-year-old's debuting at Te Rapa and Rosehill and a well bred Snitzel debutant at Kembla Grange.
Te Rapa, Race 1, 10.30am AEST (12.30pm local) Cambridge Raceway 2YO, $35,000 1200m
Sister Cynane, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Prompt Response {Beneteau})
The superbly-bred Sister Cynane is set to make her debut over 1200 metres for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Te Rapa on Saturday. She has trialled up in sharp fashion in preparation for this race winning three out of her four trials.
Sister Cynane is a daughter of Australia’s Champion stallion I Am Invincible and is out of the very talented Beneteau mare Prompt Response. She was a six-time winner and her wins included the G1 Tattersalls Tiara, G2 Emancipation S., G2 Breeders’ Classic, G2 Dane Ripper S., and the Listed Twilight Glow S.
She was a star on the track but is also very well related with her full-brother Prompt Return (Beneteau) winning seven-times including the G3 Maribyrnong P., and he placed in the Listed Lightning H., and the Listed Falvelon H., Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) is a half-sister and she was a smart two-year-old placing in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (f).
Sister Cynane as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Prompt Response since producing Sister Cynane, has left a yearling filly by Widden Stud’s super sire Zoustar named Plaintiff, and since then has unfortunately slipped to Zoustar the last two breeding seasons.
Prompt Response has been a star at stud in the sales ring, all from the draft of Widden Stud.
Her first foal Big Demeanor (I Am Invincible) sold for $500,000 to Annabel Neasham/Brian McGuire at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sister Cynane sold for $1,300,000 to Wexford Stables at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and Plaintiff sold for $2,300,000 to James Harron Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill, Race 1, 11.30am AEST, ATC Bookmakers Recognition Day H., $160,000, 1100m
Ikasara, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Ektifaa {More Than Ready} {USA})
Ikasara (I Am Invincible), is set to make his debut over 1100 metres for Randwick trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Rosehill on Saturday. He has trialled well in preparation winning his last trial nicely at Randwick on 8 April over 1045 metres.
Ikasara is the third foal from Ektifaa (More Than Ready {USA}). She was a four-time winner in South Africa including the G2 Choice Carriers Championship and the G3 Tony Ruffel S.
Ektifaa later sold for $1,700,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to the bid of Kia Ora Stud.
Ikasara as a yearling | Image courtsy of Inglis
Further back in the family are the Group Winners Calveen (Canny Lad), Fireworks (Snitzel), Okahu Bay (Flying Spur), Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) and Thalassophile (Not A Single Doubt).
Ektifaa since producing Ikasara has left a yearling filly by Farnan, a weanling filly by I Am Invincible and was most recently served in the spring again by Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan Kia Ora Stud share in the ownership and bred Ikasara.
Ikasara was a $800,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/TFI from the draft of Kia Ora Stud at the 2023 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 1.35pm AEST, Balter 2YO Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1200m
Houdini, 2-year-old colt Snitzel x Vergara {Snippetson})
The well-related Houdini is set to debut over 1200m for Annabel Neasham on the back of a trial win at Randwick on the 8th February when winning over 1050m.
Houdini is a son of Arrowfield Stud's Champion sire Snitzel and is the fourth foal from the Snippetson mare Vergara. She was very talented on the track winning eight-times from 1200 metres up to 1900 metres. Included in her wins were the G3 Epona S., and the Listed Mona Lisa S., and she was also placed in the Listed Civic S., and ran fourth in the G1 Doncaster H., G2 Golden Pendant, G2 Guy Walter S., and the G3 Triscay S.
Houdini as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Vergara is also a half-sister to Valiant Spirit - Beauty Spirit (HK) (Duporth) he was successful in Austrlaia and Hong Kong six-times including in the G2 Autumn Classic. The stallion Turffontein also features further back in the pedigree.
Houdini has a interesting pedigree pattern, his sire Snitzel’s pedigree features a cross of Danehill (USA) and Snippets, while his dam Vergara features the same cross in reverse being by a son of Snippets in Snippetson and Danehill then features through Flying Spur in his damline.
Vergara since producing Houdini has a Zoustar weanling filly and she was served by Darley Stud’s Shamardal (USA) shuttling stallion in Blue Point (Ire) last spring.
Looking Back
Rock ‘N’ Reign (Fastnet Rock) was impressive winning at Tamworth, Miss Bo Peep (NZ) (Astern) raced green throughout and didnt finish off, can be an improver. Nakoa (War Front {USA}) ran her usual honest race for a third placing at Cranbourne
