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 runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. A promising U S Navy Flag (USA) filly chases maiden success at Taupo and a Deep Field gelding looks hard to beat at Rosehill.
Taupo, Race 6, 3.34pm AEDT (5.34pm local), Redline Transportable Homes Maiden, $25,000, 1200m
Superior, 3-year-old filly (U S Navy Flag (USA) x Supera (NZ) {Savabeel})
The well-bred and promising Superior (NZ) is set to make her second start over 1200 metres for trainer Phillips Stevens at Taupo on Wednesday. She ran a great race on debut at Tauranga on January 27 when placing second behind the very progressive Warden (NZ) (Swiss Ace) over 1200 metres.
Superior is by U S Navy Flag (USA) and is the first foal out of the very talented Savabeel mare Supera (NZ), who was classy enough to win eight times. Her wins included success in the G2 Travis Stakes, G2 Tauranga Stakes, and the G3 Anniversary Stakes. She was also classy enough to be Group 1 placed four times.
Superior as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Superior’s great-grandam is the Champion stayer Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}) she was an outstanding stayer and was successful in the G1 Melbourne Cup, G1 Caulfield Cup, G1 BMW Stakes and the G1 Queensland Oaks.
Since producing Superior, Supera has left a 2-year-old filly by Super Seth, a yearling colt by Turn Me Loose (NZ), a colt foal by Proisir and was served last spring by Proisir again.
Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) purchased Superior for NZ$230,000 from the draft of Pencarrow Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 3, 3.30pm AEDT, Find Your Ozzmosis @ The Chase Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1500m
Wa Wa Wa, 3-year-old gelding (Deep Field x Wawail {Lonhro})
Rosehill’s Wednesday meeting will serve as the venue for the third start of Wa Wa Wa, a promising son of Deep Field, trained by Chris Waller. On debut he ran a good third on the Randwick-Kensington on January 22 when he battled away strongly from a prominent position behind the talented King Of Dragons (Harry Angel {Ire}) before he ran another solid third at Canterbury over 1250 metres behind Flying From Above (Pierata) on February 7.
Wa Wa Wa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Wa Wa Wa is out of the talented mare Wawail (Lonhro) who was successful six times up to 1400 metres. Including in the G2 Kewney Stakes, G3 Frances Tressady Stakes and the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes.
Other stakes-winners close-up in the family include Desi Prince (I Am Invincible), Al Muthana (Deep Field) and El Daana (Redoute’s Choice),
Wawail’s further progeny since producing Wa Wa Wa includes a 2-year-old gelding by Toronado (Ire) named Island Highflyer, a yearling colt by Toronado and was again served by Toronado last spring.
Wa Wa Wa was a $250,000 purchase by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA)/John O’Shea Racing from the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
California Command (Deep Field) - ran a very good fourth at Kembla Grange, he was right on the heels of the place-getters and ran on strongly from back in the field.
All Eyes On Her (Zoustar) - was disappointing running sixth at Kembla Grange.
