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 runners are set to hit the track at Wyong on Thursday. A Tivaci gelding that has shown promise in New Zealand, makes his Australian debut and a promising Impending filly chases maiden success.
Wyong, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Carlton & United Breweries Provincial 2&3YO Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1200m
Uncle Barry (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tivaci x Mary Gold {NZ} {Ocean Park {NZ})
Wyong’s Thursday meeting will serve as the venue for the Australian debut of Uncle Barry (NZ), a well-bred son of Tivaci from the Mitchell Beer stable at Kembla Grange. He had two runs at Tauherenikau in New Zealand last preparation and ran fourth and third in them respectively. He trialled nicely for second at Kembla Grange on February 10 in preparation for his resuming run.
Uncle Barry (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Uncle Barry is out of Mary Gold (NZ) (Ocean Park (NZ)) who only placed twice on the track, but is very well related being a half-sister to the G2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner Gold Fever (NZ) (Savabeel), she has been in the news lately as she has left the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO and G2 Matamata Breeders' winner in La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth).
Another half-sister is Gold Rush (NZ) (So You Think) who won the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes also, before producing Listed Members' Handicap winner Gold Bullion (NZ) (Savabeel). Listed Gimcrack Stakes-winning Calaverite (Lonhro) is another half-sibling and she is the dam of G1 Caulfield Guineas victor Golden Mile.
Since producing Uncle Barry, Mary Gold has left a 2-year-old full sister named Golden Outlook (Tivaci), a yearling filly by Super Seth, who was served again by Super Seth last spring.
Uncle Barry failed to meet his reserve of $60,000 at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Wyong, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Carlton & United Breweries Provincial 2&3YO Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1200m
Mlinzi. 3-year-old filly (Impending x Tawaret {I Am Invincible})
Mlinzi, a daughter of Larneuk Stud’s stallion Impending, will make her second start at Wyong, for Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup over 1200 metres. She ran a solid race on debut for sixth at Kembla Grange over 1000 metres, where she held her ground well and was only beaten by 1.4l.
Impending | Standing at Larneuk Stud
This promising filly is the first foal from the I Am Invincible mare Tawaret, who was a winner at 1100 metres and metropolitan placed in Sydney.
Her dam Khepri (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) was a winner at 1400 metres in New Zealand and was classy and precocious enough to run third in the prestigious G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes as a juvenile.
She has proven to be a good reliable broodmare having left seven winners including Redwood Baby (High Chaparral {Ire}), Super Convince (Super One), Atum (Stratum), Danubian (Foxwedge), Scarab (Hinchinbrook), Different Strokes (Hinchinbrook), and the aforementioned Tawaret.
Since producing Mlinzi, Tawaret has left a 2-year-old colt by So You Think (NZ), and then interestingly has bred to Northern Hemisphere time, a colt by Written Tycoon in January 2024 and foaled a filly foal by Alabama Express in January 2025.
Looking Back
Superior (US Navy Flag {USA}) - was disappointing on face-value running seventh at Taupo, but she did get some severe interference early in the race, she then over-raced badly afterwards and never recovered. A forgive run.
Wa Wa Wa (Deep Field) - ran a solid race at Rosehill, he led at a good clip and he just got run down in the closing stages, he looked like he had a winning break but could not quite hold on. Another good effort.
