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 that has shown promise or a horse that has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting 3-year-old runners are racing across Australia on Friday. At the Gold Coast, a promising Wootton Bassett (GB) colt looks to kick off his career with maiden success, and Geelong is the venue for well-bred 3-year-old geldings by Toronado (Ire) and I Am Invincible to battle it out.
Gold Coast, Race 1, 5.30pm AEDT, TAB We’re On QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap, $40,000, 1400m
Providence, 2-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Southbank {Fastnet Rock})
Gold Coast’s Friday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Providence, a well-bred son of Wootton Bassett (GB), trained by Chris Waller. He has shown promise at the trials and looks well placed to put in a big performance on debut.
Providence is out of the talented mare Southbank (Fastnet Rock), she may have only won one race but she was very classy placing in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, and the G1 Thousand Guineas.
Providence as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Providence’s grandam is Rezoned (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), she was a Group 3 winner on the track and also is a full sister to Preferment (NZ) who was a dual Group 1 winner and now stands at stud at Brighthill Farm in New Zealand.
Southbank, since producing Providence, has left a Too Darn Hot (GB) weanling filly, and was subsequently served by Zoustar last spring.
Providence was purchased for $625,000 by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Geelong, Race 2, 12.55pm AEDT, Beach Hotel Jan Juc Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1443m
Cologne, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Faint Perfume {Shamardal {USA}})
Cologne, a son of I Am Invincible, will have his second start for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes at Geelong over 1443 metres on Friday. He ran a very good race for second on debut at Sale on May 4 behind Sunshine Jenni (The Autumn Sun).
This promising gelding is out of the super talented filly Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}). She was victorious in the G1 VRC Oaks and the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes as well as another two Group 2 races.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
She has already proven to be a successful broodmare leaving the G2 Adelaide Cup winner Good Idea (So You Think {NZ}), and the G3 Grand Prix Stakes winner Chains Of Honour (Redoute’s Choice).
Faint Perfume has since produced a 2-year-old named Our Lurrina (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett, and was last spring served by Chaldean (GB).
Cologne was purchased for $500,000 by Peter Morgan at the 2022 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud, before he was withdrawn from the 2023 Inglis Ausralian Easter Yearling Sale.
Geelong, Race 2, 12.55pm AEDT, Beach Hotel Jan Juc Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1443m
Il Cielo, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado (Ire) x Cielo Stellato (NZ) {Charm Spirit {Ire}})
Il Cielo, a son of Swettenham Stud’s outstanding stallion Toronado (Ire) will be running at Geelong over 1443 metres for trainer Ciaron Maher on Friday. He has been very genuine in his career so far placing three times and he definitely deserves to taste maiden success.
This promising gelding is the first foal from the Charm Spirit (Ire) mare Cielo Stellato (NZ) who was a winner at 1100 metres at Moe.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Cielo Stellato is a half-sister to Take The Rap (NZ) - St Rap (H.K) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) who was successful in the G3 CS Hayes Stakes, the talented G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Madison County (NZ) (Pins) also features close up in the pedigree.
Cielo Stellato’s further progeny include a yearling filly by Wooded (Ire) and a weanling filly by Earthlight (Ire).
Looking Back
Botanical Boy (Super Seth) - won very nicely on debut at Pakenham, he ran on very strongly from last tand looked good doing it.
Planet Red (Admire Mars {Jpn}) - was very impressive winning on debut at Pakenham, he really attacked the line well in an impressive debut performance.
