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 at Pakenham on Thursday. A promising Super Seth gelding and a well-bred Admire Mars (Jpn) gelding are both chasing maiden success on debut.
Sportsbet Pakenham, Race 2, 5.15pm AEDT, RW Advisory Group Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1000m
Botanical Boy (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Wildflower (NZ) {Keeper})
The well-related Botanical Boy (NZ) (Super Seth) is set to make his debut for trainers Sam and Anthony Freedman at Pakenham on Thursday. He has had plenty of jump outs and trials to prepare for his debut, and should be well educated to perform well first-up.
Botanical Boy is a son of Waikato Stud’s exciting stallion Super Seth, and is out of the Keeper mare Wildflower (NZ). She was a talented filly winning four races including the Listed Rotorua Challenge Plate, she was also Group 1 placed in the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa.
Botanical Boy (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Botanical Boy’s pedigree has an interesting pattern as both his sire Super Seth , and his dam Wildflower (NZ) have Danehill (USA) and Zabeel (NZ) within their pedigree, as a result Botanical Boy has a 3 x 4 duplication of both of these influential stallions.
Wildflower since producing Botanical Boy, has left a yearling filly by Toronado (Ire), and was most recently served by Anamoe last spring.
Botanical Boy was originally purchased by RB Priscott for $75,000 from the Pencarrrow Stud draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale. He was then on sold via the 2024 Inglis Digital December Sale for $100,000 with the purchaser being Robert Roulston Bloodstock.
Sportsbet Pakenham, Race 3, 5.45pm AEDT, Ryan Cracknell takes on Sportsbet 2YO Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1200m
Planet Red, 2-year-old gelding (Admire Mars (Jpn) x Lucky Helmet {Helmet})
The well-bred Planet Red (Admire Mars {Jpn}), is set to make her debut at Pakenham on Thursday over 1200 metres for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Planet Red has jumped out nicely at Cranbourne in preparation for his debut and has shown a good amount of natural talent in them.
Planet Red as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Planet Red is the third foal from the two-time winner Lucky Helmet (Helmet), who is well related being a half-sister to the three-time Group 3 winner Flying Mascot (NZ), and a three-quarter-sister to the Listed winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel).
Since producing Planet Red, Lucky Helmet has produced yearling and weanling colts by Admire Mars (Jpn), and was subsequently served last spring by Hitotsu.
Planet Red was originally a $100,000 purchase by Ohukia Loadge from the draft of Kenmore Lodge at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was then a successful pinhook when selling from the Ohukia Lodge draft for NZ$260,000 to Mick Price Racing and Breeding afrom the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Looking Back
Navy Pilot (I Am Invincible) - ran a solid second at Ipswich. He looked like he struggled in the wet ground, and would appreciate racing on a firmer track.
Tamahine (Impending) - ran a good fourth at Sandown, it looked like more ground will suit.
Samudra (Snitzel) - was a very tenacious winner at Sandown, she was tough, and the beautifully bred filly looks one to watch.
