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 horses are hitting the track across New Zealand and Australia on Tuesday. A well-bred Darci Brahma (NZ) gelding chases maiden success at Hawera, and a Dundeel (NZ) gelding looks to break through at Bendigo.
Hawera, Race 2, 10.02am, AEDT (12.02pm local), Vets on Riverbank Maiden, $17,000, 1400m
Last Souvenir (NZ), 4-year-old gelding (Darci Brahma (NZ) x La Souvenir (NZ) {Nuclear Freeze {USA}})
The Robbie Patterson-trained Last Souvenir (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will be chasing his maiden win at Hawera on Tuesday over 1400 metres. He had a very good first campaign placing three times without quite breaking through, he looks hard to beat resuming in this maiden event.
This well-related gelding is the sixth foal from the Nuclear Freeze (USA) mare La Souvenir, she was a winner over 1400 metres on the track and has left three-winners.
Darci Brahma (NZ)
Her biggest claim to fame is being a half-sister to the outstanding international racehorse and stallion in So You Think (NZ) he had an outstanding racing career winning 14-times from 1400 metres to 2100 metres. Included in his tally was success in 10 Group 1 races in Australia, Ireland and Great Britain. He has so far sired 60 stakes-winners including 11 at the elite Group 1 level.
Last Souvenir’s grandam Triassic (NZ) (Tights {USA}) was also a talented mare winning the G2 Sir Tristam Fillies Classic and the Listed Soliloquy Stakes. She has been a very good broodmare obviously by leaving So You Think, but she also left eight other individual winners. As identified by his name, Last Souvenir was the last foal that La Souvenir produced.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 4, 2.30pm AEDT, Bet365 Odds Drift Protect Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1500m
Top Secret, 4-year-old gelding (Dundeel (NZ) x Sophia’s Secret {Written Tycoon})
The well-bred Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding Top Secret (Dundeel {NZ}) is set to make his fifth start at Bendigo over 1500 metres on Tuesday. His form in his first preparation was mixed, but he resumed with a very nice run for second at Geelong on April 23 behind Impish Lady (Impending).
Top Secret is the first foal out of the well-performed Written Tycoon mare Sophia’s Secret, she was a two-time winner and also managed a placing in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes.
Top Secret as a yearling | Image Courtesy of Magic Millions
Further back in the family are the talented Group winners Adamantium (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}), Sky Cuddle (Snippets), Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt), Violate (Sebring), and Highly Recommended.
Sophia’s Secret has since left a 2-year-old named In Confidence (King’s Legacy), a yearling colt by Shalaa (Ire), and unfortunately has missed to Tassort, and Playing God the last two seasons.
Top Secret was purchased by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $160,000 from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Evergreen Stud Farm.
Looking Back
Sunday 4/5/25
Cologne (I Am Invincible) - ran a brave second at Sale on debut, a very nice debut effort.
Rose Diamond (Fastnet Rock) - was honest again running third, she will pick up a win soon.
