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 juvenile runners take their place across New Zealand and Australia on Saturday. Progeny by So You Think (NZ), Bivouac, and Deep Field are all chasing success.
Ruakaka, Race 1, 10.25am AEDT (12.25pm local), Promote Waipu 2YO SW&P, $35,000, 1200m
Moretothinkabout, 2-year-old colt (So You Think (NZ) x More Joyous {More Than Ready {USA}})
The Stephen Marsh-trained 2-year-old Moretothinkabout (So You Think (NZ) will make his debut at Ruakaka on Saturday over 1200 metres. He has had three trials, and he won his last one nicely at Avondale over 1000 metres on a heavy track.
Moretothinkabout is the sixth foal from the Champion mare More Joyous (More Than Ready {USA}), who was an incredible 21-time winner on the track, including at Group 1 level eight times.
Moretothinkabout as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
It is a fantastic family and other Group 1 winners that feature in the pedigree include Tuesday Joy (Carnegie {Ire}), Joie Denise (Danehill {USA}), Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}), and Fenway (High Chaparral {Ire}),
Since producing Moretothinkabout, More Joyous has left a weanling filly by Tagaloa, and is due to foal to Alabama Express in October.
Moretothinkabout was purchased by Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $400,000 from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Royal Randwick, Race 1, 11.10am AEDT, Schweppes 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1400m
Loving, 2-year-old gelding (Bivouac x Maternal {Street Cry {Ire}})
The well-bred Loving (Bivouac), is set to make his fourth start over 1400 metres for Darley Australia’s head trainer James Cummings at Randwick on Saturday.
He won nicely at Geelong earlier this month over 1200 metres, and then backed up that effort with a stylish win at Newcastkle over 1300 metres, he looks more than capable of making it three in a row on Saturday.
Bivouac | Standing at Darley
Loving is the fourth live foal out of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Maternal, who was a six-time winner including in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic. She has already proven to be successful as a broodmare leaving four winners, including the four-time winner and Listed fourth-placed Camaquey (Teofilo {Ire}), and Shipshape (Astern) who has won twice and been placed at metropolitan level.
Loving is also well-related with his grandam being the very classy Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky) who was a four-time Group 1 winner on the track including in the G1 Emirates Stakes, G1 Toorak Handicap, G1 Myer Classic, and the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Since Producing Loving, Maternal has left a yearling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) called Accompany, a weanling colt by Microphone, and missed to Shamus Award last spring.
Caulfield, Race 1, 12.05pm AEDT, Sportsbet Get On Now 2YO Fillies Handica, $50,000, 1100m
Castellito, 2-year-old filly (Deep Field x Alcatraz {Fastnet Rock})
Caulfield’s Saturday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Castellito, a promising daughter of Deep Field from the Grahame Begg stable at Cranbourne.
She has had two nice jump outs at Cranbourne in preparation for her debut, and it would be no surprise to see her run a nice race.
Castellito is the fifth foal out of Alcatraz (Fastnet Rock), she was placed on the track, but has really shown her worth as a broodmare having already left three winners. These winners include Kubrick (Shooting To Win) who has been a Listed winner, and Group 1 placed, and the talented 3-year-old filly Bundle Of Fun (Written Tycoon) who won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks.
Castellito as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Further back in the family are the classy Group 1 winners Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}), Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor), and Easy Rocking.
Alcatraz’s further progeny since producing Castellito include a yearling filly by Home Affairs, and is due to foal to Blue Point (Ire) late next month.
Castellito was passed in short of her $250,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sungazer (Zoustar) - Was disappointing running sixth at Geelong.
Ekanite (Rubick) - Won nicely at Geelong, he looks potentially a nice staying type in the making.
Silvasista (Toronado {Ire}) - Was disappointing at Geelong running tenth.
