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 on Wednesday. A sharply-bred Lucky Vega (Ire) 2-year-old colt makes his debut at Ipswich, and Kensington is the venue for well-bred fillies by Ole Kirk and I Am Invincible to chase success.
Ipswich, Race 3, 1.08pm AEDT, Gordon’s Gin QTIS 2YO Handicap, $38,000, 1100m
Green Spring, 2-year-old colt (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Soosa Rama {Bel Esprit})
The sharply-bred Green Spring (Lucky Vega {Ire}), is set to make his debut over 1100 metres for trainers Annabel and Rob Neasham at Ipswich on Wednesday. He has looked smart at the trials, and has run two placings at Rosehill and Warwick Farm at his two most recent.
Green Spring is out of Soosa Rama (Bel Esprit), she was a four-time winner up to 1400 metres and has left three individual winners including Navillus Hellfire (Hellbent), Flying Artist (Flying Artie), and Power Bank (Deep Field).
Green Spring as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Green Spring was originally purchased for $17,500 by Duryea Racing from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale, he was then presented by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he sold to Midori Racing for $140,000.
Soosa Rama, since producing Green Spring, has left a yearling filly by Captivant, and was most recently served last spring by Sebring Sun.
Kensington, Race 2, 12.15pm AEDT, Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap, $60,000, 1400m
Cold Gin, 2-year-old filly (Ole Kirk x Saas Fee {All Too Hard})
Cold Gin, a daughter of Ole Kirk, will make her third career start for trainer Bjorn Baker at Kensington over 1400 metres on Wednesday.
On debut she ran sixth on April 16 behind Perle De Chocolat (Astern), she then ran a very nice second at Canterbury on April 30 behind the talented Big Red Tequila (Shamus Award).
This promising filly is the first foal from Saas Fee (All Too Hard), she was a two-time winner on the track and placed in the G3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes.
Cold Gin as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She is a half-sister to the talented seven-time and Group 3-winning gelding Hard Landing (All Too Hard), and is out of the super talented filly Switzerland (Snitzel). She was victorious in the G1 Lightning Stakes as well as another five Group races.
Saas Fee has since produced a yearling filly named Viva Invincible (I Am Invincible), a weanling colt by Exceedance, and was most recently served by Ole Kirk last spring.
Cold Gin was purchased for $300,000 by Darby Racing and Deburgh Equine and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Vinery Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kensington, Race 6, 2.35pm AEDT, Myplates Handicap, $60,000, 1300m
Kilkenny, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Shillelagh (NZ) {Savabeel})
The Chris Waller-trained Kilkenny (I Am Invincible) will have her fourth start over 1600 metres at Kensington on Wednesday. She won her maiden last start in super impressive fashion by 8l at Kembla Grange on April 19. This is a step up from maiden grade, but she looks up to it going by the manner of her last victory.
Kilkenny is the second foal from the Savabeel mare Shillelagh (NZ), who was an extremely good mare winning eight races including the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and the G1 Cantala Stakes, both at Flemington.
She is also very well-related being a full sister to Tullamore (NZ) (Savabeel) who won the G2 Brisbane Cup and Grazia (NZ) (Savabeel) who was successful at Listed level.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
Since producing Kilkenny, Shillelagh has left Hostility (I Am Invincible) who has placed twice from two starts including in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, he was a NZ $1.65 million purchase from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
She has since left a Snitzel weanling filly, and she was subsequently served by I am Invincible last spring.
Looking Back
Sun Setting (Pierata) - won nicely at Moe, she knuckled down well and was strong late to win with a touch of class.
Taste Of Wine (Pierro) - ran an eye-catching fourth at Moe, she charged home late and looks like she will be hard to beat over a middle distance next time up.
