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 looking for success across New Zealand and Australia on Thursday. An Almanzor (Fr) gelding chases maiden success at Matamata, a Justify (USA) filly looks hard to beat at Kilmore, and a beautifully bred Too Darn Hot (GB) 2-year-old colt takes his place at Pakenham.
Matamata, Race 3, 10.47am AEDT (12.47pm local), Robow’s Maiden 3YO, $17,000, 1600m
Gate Crashers (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Almanzor {Fr} x Sweet Inspiration {NZ} {Power {GB}})
The Shaune Ritchie-trained Almanzor (Fr) gelding Gate Crashers (NZ), will be having his second start at Matamata on Thursday over 1600 metres. He didn’t do a lot on debut back in September last year, but has ran second in two trials at Ellerslie over 1300 metres, to prepare for his resuming assignment over the mile distance.
This gelding is the fourth foal out of the Power (GB) mare Sweet Inspiration (NZ), who was unraced on the track, but holds plenty of appeal being a half-sister to the talented racehorse and stallion Turn Me Loose (NZ). He was a seven-time winner on the track from 1200 metres to 1600 metres in New Zealand and Australia, and his wins included the G1 2000 Guineas, G1 Emirates Stakes, G1 Futurity Stakes, G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas, G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile and the Listed Seymour Cup.
Gate Crashers (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Sweet Inspiration has done a good job at stud, with all of her runners to race being winners, including Preferral (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) who has won five-times, Chartin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) who has been a three-time winner and city placed in Adelaide, and About A Girl (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}).
Sweet Inspiration since producing Gate Crashers, has left a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire), a weanling filly by Satono Aladdin (Jpn), and was subsequently served by Profondo.
Gate Crashers was a $250,000 purchase by Shaune Ritchie Racing, from the draft of Carlaw Park at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Bet 365 Park Kilmore, Race 1, 2pm Bet365 Odds Drift Protect Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1100m
Proven Soul, 3-year-old filly (Justify (USA) x Limbo Soul {I Am Invincible})
Proven Soul, a daughter of Justify (USA), will make her fourth start at Kilmore for Flemington trainer Scott Cameron. In her first preparation she ran two nice placings at Benalla and Kyneton, and should have improved off a break and a couple of jump outs to prepare herself for her resuming assignment.
The well-related filly is the first foal from the I Am Invincible mare Limbo Soul, who was a metropolitan winner as a juvenile in Sydney.
Proven Soul as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Limbo Soul is a full sister to Jovialty (I Am Invincible), who was a talented five-time winner and was stakes placed in the Listed Reginald Allen Handicap. Further back in the family is the stallion and Group 3 winner Handsome Ransom.
Limbo Soul since producing Proven Soul, has left a 2-year-old filly by Yes Yes Yes, a weanling colt by Russian Revolution, and was subsequently served by Farnan.
Proven Soul was purchased by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock and Scott Cameron Racing from the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $280,000 from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.
Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 5.15pm Grants Plumbing & Drainage Solutions 2YO Maiden Plate, $40,000, 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 be making his fourth start at Pakenham on Thursday. His form doesn't show a lot from his first preparation, but both of his runs were in very strong company behind Palm Angel (Starspandgledbanner) and Invincible Woman (I Am Invincible), but he resumed in pleasing fashion when running second at Ballarat behind Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk).
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), this season she was successful in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas, she was also previously successful as a 2-year-old 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), and All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
Moldova since producing Maldini, has left a yearling colt by Toronado (Ire) and most recently was 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 Pty Ltd and Spicer Thoroughbreds being the successful purchasers from the draft of Milburn Creek.
Looking Back
Scrumptious (Tassort) - ran a close-up fourth at Warwick Farm, she took a while to wind up and looks like further ground will help.
Hidden Motive (Capitalist) ran a very brave second at Warwick Farm, a win is not far away for this talented 2-year-old.
Barbieland (Extreme Choice) ran fourth at Doomben, she battled away well.
