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 runners are running at Cranbourne on Sunday. A Cosmic Force juvenile looks very hard to beat, and a Rubick gelding chases his first victory.
Cranbourne, Race 1, 12.10pm AEDT, Cranbourne FC Decade of Dominance 1985 Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Bacash, 2-year-old colt (Cosmic Force x Classique {Duke Of Marmalade {Ire})
Ben, Will and JD Hayes will look to extend their winning record with their juveniles this season, as they prepare the 2-year-old colt Bacash (Cosmic Force) to have his third start at Cranbourne.
He has outstanding form from his first preparation where he ran fifth on debut in Listed company at Caulfield behind Miss Celine (Magnus), subsequently he placed in both his next two starts at Flemington in Group 3 company, and on the Caulfield Heath in a $250,000 event. He has prepared for this resuming run with two nice jump out wins at Werribee and Flemington and should prove hard to beat.
Bacash as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bacash is the fourth foal out of Classique (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), she was a three-time winner on the track and has left three winners to date.
A talented relation further back in the family is Driefontein (Fastnet Rock), who was the winner of the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
Bacash was originally purchased at the 2023 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale by Blade Racing for $120,000, he was then successfully re-sold at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Lindsay Park Racing for $200,000.
Cranbourne, Race 2, 12.45pm AEDT, CFC Niza Back To Black Beauty 1986 Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1400m
Ekanite, 3-year-old gelding (Rubick x Jade Marauder {Fastnet Rock})
The well-related Ekanite (Rubick) is set to make his second start over 1400 metres for trainer Chris Waller at Cranbourne on Sunday. On debut he ran a very nice third at Geelong on May 23, when he attacked the line well behind Shimonoseki (Extreme Choice).
Ekanite is a son of Jade Marauder (Fastnet Rock), who was a dual winner as a juvenile including in the G3 Sweet Embrace Stakes, she also placed in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes, G2 Furious Stakes, and the Listed Gimcrack Stakes.
Ekanite’s grandam is Jade Diva (Jade Robbery {USA}), she was a Listed winner on the track, and also left the classy Bliss Street (Flying Spur), who was a dual Group 3 winner.
Jade Marauder since producing Ekanite, has left a 2-year-old filly named Hermione Prancer (Toronado {Ire}), a yearling colt by Written By, and is due to foal to Needs Further this spring.
Looking Back
So Long Farewell (NZ) (Super Seth) - Was a solid winner at Kembla Grange, he was a bit strong for his opposition, and won well.
Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) - was very disappointing running fifth at Flemington.
