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 well-bred I Am Invincible 2-year-old colt looks hard to beat at Ipswich, and Sandown is the venue for an Impending mare and a sharply-bred I Am Invincible filly to chase maiden success.
Ipswich, Race 4, 2.18pm AEDT, Sacred Elixir QTIS 2YO Handicap, $50,000, 1350m
Navy Pilot, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Amuletum (GB) {New Approach {Ire}})
Navy Pilot, a son of the outstanding I Am Invincible, will make his fourth career start for trainer Ciaron Maher at Ipswich, over 1350 metres on Wednesday.
He was an impressive maiden winner at Eagle Farm last start in maiden grade, and this race looks a nice stepping stone as he prepares for Group races during the Brisbane carnival.
Navy Pilot as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This promising colt is the fourth foal from the New Approach (GB) mare Amuletum (GB), she was a winner in Great Britain but has an incredible pedigree, she is a half-sister to the 14-time winner and Champion Anamoe, she is out of the G1 winner Anamato (Redoute’s Choice) and as a broodmare, she has already left the two-time Group 2 winner and Listed winner in Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) who recently sold for $2.8 million at the Ingis Chairman's Sale to Tom Magnier.
Since Producing Navy Pilot, Amuletum (GB) has left a yearling colt by Aclaim (Ire), a weanling filly by I Am Invincible and was most recently served by Wootton Bassett (GB) last spring.
Navy Pilot was passed in short of his $750,000 reserve at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 1, 12.25pm AEDT, Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1300m
Tamahine, 4-year-old mare (Impending x Arohanui {Bianconi {USA}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Impending mare Tamahine will travel to Sandown on Wednesday to have her fifth start over 1300 metres. She has been very consistent in her career so far having placed in three of her four starts.
Impending | Standing at Larneuk Stud
Tamahine is the fifth-live foal from the Bianconi (USA) mare Arohanui, who was a two-time winner. She has proven to be a very handy broodmare leaving four-winners including the Jericho Cup and Grand National Hurdle winner in Wil John (Reset), the stakes placed stayer Wahine Toa (Dalakhani {Ire}), three-time winner Aroha Te Mana (Von Costa de Hero) and the outstanding Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) who is now a nine-time winner including at Group 1 level in the CF Orr Stakes.
Since producing Tamahine, Arohanui has produced an as yet-to-race Puissance De Lune (Ire) 3-year-old filly named Big Sister Ava.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 2, 1pm AEDT, Thoroughbred Club of Australia 2YO Handicap, $50,000, 1000m
Samudra, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Pippie {Written Tycoon})
The very well-bred Samudra (Snitzel), is set to make her debut over 1000 metres for trainer Mark Walker at Sandown on Wednesday.
She has won three jump outs at Cranbourne in preparation for her debut and a forward performance would not surprise in the hands of jockey Ben Melham.
Samudra is the first foal out of the talented sprinter Pippie (Written Tycoon), she was a six-time winner and she was successful in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G1 AJ Moir Stakes.
Samudra | Image courtesy of Inglis
Since producing Samudra, Pippie has left a yearling filly by I Am Invincible, a weanling colt by I Am Invincible, and then sadly died in November last year after being served by Zoustar.
Samudra was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $775,000 from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Cressfield.
Looking Back
Brutalina (Brutal {NZ}) - was a solid winner at Kilmore, it was a tenacious effort and she finished off her race very strongly.
My Friday Beau (Brazen Beau) - got the job done for favourite punters at Kilmore, he only just got the job done but importantly he got the win.
