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.
It could be a good Wednesday for trainer Chris Waller at Canterbury as he saddles up three promising runners that we will be keeping a close eye on. Runners by Wootton Bassett (GB), I Am Invincible and Deep Field all look like they could pick up maiden success.
Canterbury, Race 1, 12.50pm, AEDT, Myplates 2YO Maiden Colts Handicap, $60,000, 1250m
Central Coast, 2-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sunlight {Zoustar})
The Chris Waller-trained Central Coast (Wootton Bassett {GB}) takes his place at Canterbury on Wednesday to have his second start over 1250 metres. He ran a very good race on debut when narrowly beaten by Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun), on the same track and over the same distance on June 9.
Central Coast is the second foal from the Champion Zoustar mare Sunlight, who was a three-time Group 1 winner. She has already made a great start to her stud career with her first foal Dawn Service (Justify {USA}) already being a Listed winner at Flemington in his short career.
Central Coast as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Central Coast comes from an outstanding family with plenty of closely related stakes winners including Clean Energy (Zoustar), Sisstar (Zoustar), Causeway Queen (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), and Solar Charged (Red Ransom).
Since producing Central Coast, Sunlight has left a Home Affairs filly that sold for $3.2 million to Mitsu Nakauchida of Japan at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and she has a Justify (USA) weanling filly, before she missed to both Snitzel and Wootton Bassett (GB) last spring.
Central Coast was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman for $1.4 million from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Canterbury, Race 2, 1.25pm, AEDT, Ranvet 2YO Maiden Fillies Handicap, $60,000, 1250m
Ernaux, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Booker {Written Tycoon})
The Chris Waller-trained Ernaux (I Am Invincible) will have her third start at Canterbury on Wednesday. She ran a sold fourth behind the progressive Wootton Lass (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on debut, and then ran a very good second behind Penpal (Written By) at Warwick Farm on June 4 over 1100 metres.
Ernaux as a yaerling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Ernaux is the second foal from the outstanding Written Tycoon mare Booker, she was a four-time winner and her wins included the G1 Oakleigh Plate, G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, and the G3 Kevin Hayes Stakes.
Booker is also very well-related being a full sister to the young Waikato Stud stallion Banquo, he was a handy colt wining at Listed level and being multiple times Group-placed.
Booker, since leaving Ernaux, has left a yearling colt by Home Affairs, and she was exported to America, and was served by Justify (USA) in September and is due to foal this spring.
Ernaux was a $3 million purchase by Resolute Racing from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Canterbury, Race 4, 2.35pm, AEDT, TAB 3YO Maiden Plate, $100,000, 1250m
Wa Wa Wa, 3-year-old gelding (Deep Field x Wawail {Lonhro})
Canterbury’s Wednesday meeting will serve as the venue for the fourth start of Wa Wa Wa, a promising son of Deep Field, trained by Chris Waller. He has run three good placings in his three career starts in his first preparation, he has since had a break and a trial to get ready for his first up assignment.
Wa Wa Wa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Wa Wa Wa is out of the talented mare Wawail (Lonhro) who was successful six times up to 1400 metres. Including in the G2 Kewney Stakes, G3 Frances Tressady Stakes and the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes.
Other stakes-winners close-up in the family include Desi Prince (I Am Invincible), Al Muthana (Deep Field) and El Daana (Redoute’s Choice),
Wawail’s further progeny, since producing Wa Wa Wa, includes a 2-year-old gelding by Toronado (Ire) named Island Highflyer, a yearling colt by Toronado, and is due to foal again to Toronado this spring.
Wa Wa Wa was a $250,000 purchase by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) and John O’Shea Racing from the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Horseshoe Hill (All Too Hard) - Won nicely at Hawkesbury, the margin was only narrow but she always looked the winner.
Celerity (Exceed And Excel) - Bolted in at Hawkesbury by nearly 4 lengths, it was a dominant performance, and she deserved that maiden success.
