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 Bendigo on Sunday. A promising 2-year-old colt by Anders makes his debut, and a consistent Toronado (Ire) filly looks hard to beat over 1400 metres.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 1, 11.30am AEDT, Apiam Animal Health 2YO Maiden Plate, $35,000, 1000m
Nordic Strike, 2-year-old colt (Anders x Miss Tenpins (NZ) {Pins})
The promising Nordic Strike (Anders) is set to make his debut over 1000 metres at Bendigo for trainer Ciaron Maher on Sunday. He has had plenty of experience at the Cranbourne jump outs, and has shown a good amount of natural ability in them, he should be very competitive in this event.
Nordic Strike is the fifth foal out of Miss Tenpins (NZ) (Pins), she was a six-time winner up to 1400 metres, and was Listed placed in Queensland.
Nordic Strike as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Nordic Strike’s pedigree is full of influential Waikato Stud stallions through the damline including Pins, O’Reilly (NZ), and Danasinga, and it is a family full of consistent winners.
Miss Tenpins has recently produced a yearling filly by Zousain, and is due to foal to Paulele late next month.
Nordic Strike was purchased for $55,000 by First Light Racing and Ciaron Maher Racing from the Widden Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Apiam Bendigo, Race 3, 12.35pm AEDT, Avis Bendigo Maiden Plate, $50,000, 1400m
Flowerdale, 3-year-old filly (Toronado (Ire) x Lady Churchill {Churchill Downs})
The well-related Flowerdale (Toronado {Ire}) will be making her third start at Bendigo on Sunday for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. She has looked good running fourth and second in her two starts, and looks well placed in this event.
Flowerdale is the fourth foal out of Lady Churchill (Churchill Downs), she was placed on the track, and has made a solid start as a broodmare leaving two winners.
Lady Churchill is very well-related being a half-sister to She’s Got Gears (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who was a classy juvenile winning at Listed level, but she has excelled as a broodmare leaving the very good sprinter Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}).
Flowerdale as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He was a seven-time winner including at the elite level in the G1 William Reid Stakes, and he also placed in The Everest.
Some other classy stakes winners within the pedigree include Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready) who won the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, and Jaraab (Whiskey Road {USA}) who was a Listed winner in South Australia.
Lady Churchill since producing Flowerdale, has left a 2-year-old filly named Rip It Up (Toronado {Ire}), a yearling filly by Rubick, and is due to foal to King Of Colorado in September.
Flowerdale was passed in short of her $150,000 reserve at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Loving (Bivouac) - Was scratched from his event, he will keep for another day.
Castellito (Deep Field) - Ran a solid fifth on debut at Caulfield, she ran on strongly from last and is one to watch next start.
Moretothinkabout (So You Think {NZ}) - Ran a lovely race for second on debut at Ruakaka, he is one to watch, particularly next season as a 3-year-old.
