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 horses are hitting the track at Geelong on Friday. Runners by Zoustar, Rubick, and Toronado (Ire) are all chasing maiden success.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 1, 11.30am AEDT, Ladbrokes 2YO Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1430m
Sungazer, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Delectation Girl (GB) {Delegator {GB})
The promising Zoustar colt, Sungazer is set to make his second start over 1430 metres at Geelong for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy on Friday. He ran a solid fourth on debut at Donald over 1356 metres ,where he was attacking the line strongly from well back in the field.
Sungazer is out of Delectation Girl (GB) (Delegator {GB}), she was a very talented mare winning at Group level in Great Britain and in Germany, she also was Group-placed multiples times in Australia, and ran fourth in the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Sungazer as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sungazer has some lovely pedigree influences throughout his pedigree, including Encosta De Lago, Danehill (USA), Dansili (GB), Pivotal (GB), and Indian Ridge (Ire).
Delectation Girl in recent times, has produced a So You Think (NZ) yearling filly, a Zoustar weanling filly, and unfortunately slipped last spring.
Sungazer was originally a $310,000 purchase by Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Redwall Bloodstock, and James Harron Bloodstock from the draft of Milburn Creek at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was then a successful pinhook, when selling from the Widden Stud draft for 400,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing, and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA), at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 4, 1.20pm AEDT, Adroit Insurance + Risk Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1740m
Ekanite, 3-year-old gelding (Rubick x Jade Marauder {Fastnet Rock})
The well-related Ekanite (Rubick) is set to make his third start over 1740 metres for trainer Chris Waller at Geelong on Friday. On debut he ran a very nice third at Geelong on May 23, when he attacked the line well behind Shimonoseki (Extreme Choice), and then he ran a solid fourth at Cranbourne where he was again running on strongly .
Rubick | Image courtesy of Swettenham Stud
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}), who 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.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 5, 2pm AEDT, Market Lane Insurance Group Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1740m
Silvasista, 2-year-old filly (Toronado (Ire) x Silver Tiara {Ferocity})
The well-related Silvasista (Toronado {Ire}) will be making her second start at Geelong on Friday for trainer’s Tony and Calvin McEvoy. She ran a solid third on debut at Swan Hill in early June, and steps up in trip for her second start.
Silvasista is the seventh foal out of Silver Tiara (Ferocity), she only raced twice, but has proven to be a smart broodmare leaving three winners.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
The best of these has been Silvera (High Chaparral {Ire}) who was a 10-time winner from 1400 metres to 2000 metres, his best success came in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile Handicap, Listed Member’s Cup and the Listed Morphettville Guineas.
Silver Tiara is also well-related being a half-sister to Shoot Out (High Chaparral {Ire}) who was a 10-time winner including in the G1 Australian Derby, and another four Group 1 races.
She is also a half-sister to the Group 3 winners I’m A Princess (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Cassandra Shadow (NZ) (Johannesburg {USA}).
Unfortunately Silver Tiara has not produced a live-foal since leaving Silvasista, and she also missed to Best Of Bordeaux last spring.
Looking Back
Navy Nina (Proisir) - Unfortunately, the Ballarat meeting was abandoned, so she will keep for another day.
California Command (Deep Field) - Ran an okay fourth at Gosford, he appeared to have every chance.
