Jarred Magnabosco has been surprised by the significant market support for French import Newlook ahead of his Australian debut at Caulfield on Saturday, but the Best Bloodstock boss is pleased by the confidence shown in the gelding’s ability.
The four-year-old, prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, has been backed from $16 into $7 equal second favourite for the $150,000 Stow Storage Solutions BM100 Handicap (1600m). It will be Newlook’s first run in Australia and the first time he has contested a race shorter than 2000 metres.
“He goes into a benchmark 100 over a mile, which is well short of his best, and we’ll look to get back in the field and hit the line strongly,” Magnabosco said.
“This is more of a tie-over race leading into spring, so if he can run past a few and finish off strongly, that’ll be a pass mark for us.”
Newlook represents a significant investment for Best Bloodstock, having been purchased for €480,000 (AU$855,000) at last November’s Arqana Autumn Sale in France, almost twice the next highest-priced horse at the auction. Magnabosco partnered with Busuttin Racing to secure the son of New Bay, who was highly sought after by several major Australian stables, including Michael Kent Jnr and Gai Waterhouse’s UK agent Johnny McKeever.
“He was well sought-after by some of the biggest names, and I’m just glad we got the final bid,” Magnabosco said. “It’s now up to the horse to show he was worth the purchase. I wanted to bring in an international horse that could develop into a Cups prospect, and he looked lightly raced and progressive.”
Newlook is out of Hurricane Run mare Skysweeper, dam of La Parisienne, a Group 1 performer in France who placed in both the Prix de Diane and Prix Vermeille. After several placings early in his career, Newlook broke through with three straight wins in France, the last in the Listed Prix Vulcain (2500m) shortly before the sale.
Since arriving in Australia in December, Newlook has had two trials: a quiet last-placed effort at Cranbourne over 1000m followed by an impressive 1400m victory at Wangaratta on July 7. Saturday’s run marks the start of a spring campaign aimed at the Melbourne Cup, with Magnabosco planning to target ballot-exempt races to secure his place in the field.
“We’ll have this run on the weekend and then look to really ramp things up. We’re confident that with his profile, his turn of foot, and the way he’s adapted, he can thrive in Australian conditions,” Magnabosco said.
Ballot-exempt opportunities have been boosted this year with the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup joining The Bart Cummings and The Archer on the list of key qualifying races.
Jamie Melham will take the ride on Newlook, who will jump from barrier 10 in the field of 11. Punters can follow his progress via Australia’s leading betting sites.
