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.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. At Pukekohe, well-bred fillies by U S Navy Flag (USA) and I Am Invincible chase maiden success, and at Ballarat, a promising Too Darn Hot (GB) 2-year-old colt resumes.
Pukekohe, Race 1, 10.50am AEDT (12.50pm local), Trackside.co.nz Maiden, $25,000, 1400m
Superior (NZ), 3-year-old filly (U S Navy Flag {USA} x Supera {NZ} {Savabeel})
The well-bred and promising Superior (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), is set to make her third start over 1400 metres for trainer Phillips Stevens at Pukekohe on Wednesday. She ran a great race on debut at Tauranga on January 27, placing second behind the progressive Warden (NZ) (Swiss Ace), over 1200 metres. Then she disappointed second-up at Taupo on February 26.
Superior (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Superior is by U S Navy Flag, 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 also managed to place in Group 1 company four times.
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.
Pukekohe, Race 4, 12.37pm AEDT (2.37pm local), Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden, $25,000, 1200m
Sister Cynane, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Prompt Response {Beneteau})
The superbly-bred Sister Cynane (I Am Invincible) is set to make her fourth start over 1200 metres for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan, and Andrew Scott at Pukekohe on Wednesday. She deserves a maiden win, as she has run three good seconds in her career.
Sister Cynane is a daughter of Champion Sire I Am Invincible and is out of the very talented Beneteau mare Prompt Response. She was a six-time winner, including the G1 Tattersalls Tiara, G2 Emancipation Stakes, G2 Breeders’ Classic, G2 Dane Ripper Stakes, and the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes.
Sister Cynane as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She was a star on the track but is also very well-related. Her full brother Prompt Return (Beneteau) won seven times, including in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate. Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) is a half-sister, and she was a brilliant 2-year-old who placed in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (fillies).
Prompt Response, since producing Sister Cynane, has left a 2-year-old filly by Widden Stud’s super sire Zoustar named Plaintiff, and since then has unfortunately slipped to Zoustar the last two breeding seasons.
Prompt Response has been a star at stud in the sales ring, all from the draft of Widden Stud.
Her first foal, Big Demeanor (I Am Invincible), sold for $500,000 to Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire, at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sister Cynane sold for $1.3 million to Wexford Stables at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and Plaintiff sold for $2.3 million to James Harron Bloodstock at last year's edition of the same sale.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 3, 2.30pm Pipe Pro Directional Drilling 2YO Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Maldini, 2-year-old colt (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Moldova {Snitzel})
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Too Darn Hot (GB) colt Maldini will make his third start at Ballarat on Wednesday. His form doesn't look great from his first preparation, but both runs were in very strong company behind Palm Angel (Starspangledbanner) and Invincible Woman (I Am Invincible).
He has jumped out twice in preparation for this resuming run after a nice break, so improvement will be expected.
Maldini as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This well-bred colt is the second foal out of the Snitzel mare Moldova. She was a two-time winner as a juvenile, but has made an outstanding start to her broodmare career, leaving the very classy filly Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), who was successful in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas this season. She was also previously successful as a juvenile in the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes, G2 Matamata Breeders Stakes, and the G3 Taranaki Classic.
Deep in the pedigree is a long list of classy Group winners, including Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel), Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), All Hallows’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls), La Lagune (Danehill {USA}), Addictive Nature, and Savvy Nature.
Since producing Maldini, Moldova has left a yearling colt by Toronado (Ire) and was most recently served by Wootton Bassett (GB).
Maldini sold for $500,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Moody Racing, and Spicer Thoroughbreds being the successful purchasers from the draft of Milburn Creek.
Looking Back
Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}) - Won his maiden very impressively at Group 3 level, he won in dominant fashion and could develop into a lovely 3-year-old.
Sethfire (NZ) (Super Seth) - was disappointing at Tamworth, running 10th.
