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.
Two exciting 3-year-old fillies are set to hit the track on Tuesday. This includes a well-bred Dundeel (NZ) filly running at Quirindi and a promising The Autumn Sun filly chases maiden success at Ballina.
Quirindi, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, Quirindi Cup Day 21st Feb 2025 Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1450m
Bellini Spritz, 3-year-old filly (Dundeel {NZ} x Roseito {Snitzel})
The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Bellini Spritz will make her second start at Quirindi on Tuesday. She ran very nicely for third on debut at Muswellbrook behind Bondi Prophet (Divine Prophet) on November 29.
The promising filly is by Dundeel and is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Roseito, who was handy on the track winning three times from 1300 metres to 1550 metres. She has started her broodmare career in solid fashion leaving Rezone (Dundeel {NZ}) who has been a metropolitan winner at 2000 metres and Berardino (Real Impact {Jpn}) who has placed at Listed level.
Bellini Spritz as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Roseito is very well-related being a three-quarter sister to Howard Be Thy Name (Redoute’s Choice) who was a talented stayer, with his best wins being in the G1 South Australia Derby, the G3 Chairman’s S., and the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas. She is also out of Bellini Rose (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) who was an eight-time winner including in the G2 Rose Of Kingston S.
Roseito since producing Bellini Spritz, has left a yearling filly by Castelvecchio who heads to the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in the draft of Arrowfield Stud as Lot 594 and most recently foaled a Castelvecchio colt in September earlier this year.
Bellini Spritz failed to meet her reserve at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Ballina, Race 1, 2.10pm AEDT, NBN News Country Boosted Mdn H., $30,000, 1250m
November Sun, 3-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Iffranesia {Fr} {Iffraaj {GB}})
Ballina’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the third start for the well-bred November Sun. Trained by Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah, she failed on debut at Doomben on June 12 when she was backed strongly, she then had a break and resumed nicely for a third placing at Eagle Farm on November 5 behind Dismantle (Spirit Of Boom).
November Sun is by Arrowfield Stud’s very promising sire in The Autumn Sun who unfortunately had to rest the 2024 breeding season due to injury. She has a very strong pedigree with her page full of influential international stallions including Zafonic (USA), Danehill (USA), Galileo (Ire), Anabaa (USA), Nureyev (USA), Sharpen Up (GB), Darshaan (GB) and Lear Fan (USA).
Her dam Iffranesia (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}) was a nine-time winning sprinter who won the Listed Prix de Bonneval, and managed placings in the Listed Prix Hampton, Listed Abergwaun S. and the G2 Flying Five S.
Since producing November Sun, Iffranesia has produced a 2-year-old colt named Beadman (Snitzel) and most recently foaled a Snitzel colt in September earlier this spring.
At her most recent visit to the sales, November Sun failed to meet her reserve at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Out of Exile (Brazen Beau) was disappointing at Te Aroha, she raced very ungenerously and weakened out as a result to finish ninth.
French Empire (Justify {USA}) was very good running second at the Sunshine Coast, he was beat by a smart one, but he stuck to his task well. More ground is going to suit this well-bred gelding.
O'Invincible (I Am Invincible) was impressive winning on debut. This filly won in dominant fashion and will go on to stronger things than a Hawkesbury maiden.
