Looking Ahead highlights runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are an exceptionally well-bred or high-priced runner early in their career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Two exciting runners are looking for success at Ballarat on Tuesday. A well-bred Zoustar gelding resumes, and a promising So You Think (NZ) gelding deserves maiden success.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Brandt Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1000m
Zouper Fund, 4-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Fundamentalist {Not A Single Doubt})
The well-bred Zouper Fund (Zoustar) is set to make his second start over 1000 metres for trainer Ciaron Maher at Ballarat.
At his only start, he ran seventh at Seymour in December last year, but recently won a jump-out at Cranbourne on March 10 in preparation for this maiden event.
Zouper Fund is a son of Widden Stud’s star stallion Zoustar and is out of the Not A Single Doubt mare Fundamentalist. She was a two-time winner as a juvenile at 1200 metres, including the G3 Dequetteville Stakes.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
She also substantially added to her record by placing in the G1 Randwick Guineas, G1 Surround Stakes, G1 Thousand Guineas, G2 Fillies Classic, G3 Sires’ Produce Stakes, G3 Breeders’ Stakes, G1 Empire Rose Stakes, G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, G3 Vanity Stakes, and the Listed Regal Roller Stakes.
Fundamentalist has recently left a 2-year-old colt by Zoustar named Fermoy, who has placed on the track, and a yearling colt by Home Affairs, and was most recently served by Zoustar last spring.
Zouper Fund was a $560,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale from the draft of Segenhoe Stud.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Manhari 3YO Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Thinxzo, 3-year-old gelding (So You Think (NZ) x Snapchat Girl {Lope de Vega {Ire}})
The progressive Thinxzo (So You Think {NZ}) is set to make his fourth start at Ballarat for trainer Danny O’Brien on Tuesday.
His form is very solid. He has run three top-four placings at Cranbourne, Colac, and Bendigo, and looks very well-placed here over 1400 metres.
Thinxzo is a son of So You Think (NZ) and is out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Snapchat Girl. She was talented on the track, winning five times from 1200 metres up to 1600 metres.
Thinxzo as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She is out of Wonderful Lass (Catbird), who was a Listed winner and then went on to leave five individual winners. Further back in the family are the Group 1 winners and stallions Stay Inside and Wonderful World.
Snapchat Girl, since producing Thinxzo, has left a 2-year-old filly by Invader named Filter (NZ), a yearling filly by Turn Me Loose (NZ), a colt foal by Profondo and was subsequently served by Circus Maximus (Ire).
Thinxzo was a NZ$100,000 purchase by Daniel O’Brien Racing from the draft of Windsor Park Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday 23/3/25
Fury Of Flight (Zoustar) ran a battling fifth at Matamata. He didn't have the softest trip, so he could improve quickly off it.
Heff (NZ) (Proisir) - was a solid third, he ran on very strongly late.
