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 Toronado (Ire) runners, both trained by Ciaron Maher, are chasing success at Midura on Friday.
Bet365 Mildura, Race 1, 1pm AEDT, Never Ordinary 3YO Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1400m
Il Cielo, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado (Ire) x Cielo Stellato (NZ) {Charm Spirit {Ire}})
Il Cielo, a son of Swettenham Stud’s outstanding stallion Toronado (Ire), will be running at Mildura over 1400 metres for trainer Ciaron Maher on Friday. He has been very genuine in his career so far placing four times, and he definitely deserves to taste maiden success
This promising gelding is the first foal from the Charm Spirit (Ire) mare Cielo Stellato (NZ) who was a winner at 1100 metres at Moe.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Cielo Stellato is a half-sister to Take The Rap (NZ) - St Rap (H.K) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), who was successful in the G3 C.S Hayes Stakes. The talented G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Madison County (NZ) (Pins) also features close up in the pedigree.
Cielo Stellato’s further progeny include a yearling filly by Wooded (Ire), and a weanling filly by Earthlight (Ire).
Bet365 Mildura, Race 3, 2pm AEDT, Sunraysia Daily Maiden Plate, $37,500, 1200m
Spirado, 2-year-old filly (Toronado (Ire) x Big Spirit (Invincible Spirit {Ire}})
Mildura’s Friday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Spirado, a well-bred daughter of Toronado (Ire) trained by Ciaron Maher. She has had plenty of educational trials and should be ready to kick off her career with a good performance.
Spirado is out the tenth foal out of Big Spirit (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), she was a talented nine-time winning sprinter, and has been a successful broodmare leaving six individual winners.
Spirado | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Big Spirit is a half-sister to Dantana (Danzero) who was a 10-time winner in Australia and Macau, including at stakes level three times in Australia.
Big Spirit since producing Spirado, has left a weanling colt by Toronado, and is due to foal to Lucky Vega (Ire) in early October this year.
Spirado was purchased for $130,000 by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Meredith Park draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Hurry Miss (Alabama Express) - Was unfortunately scratched, she will keep for another day.
Charka (Exceed And Excel) - Ran a solid enought fourth at Kembla Grange.
