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 promising horses are hitting the track across Australia on Wednesday. Runners by Snitzel, Exceed And Excel, and Maurice (Jpn) are all chasing maiden success.
Sportsbet Sandown Lakeside, Race 1, 12.25pm AEDT, Sportsbet Race Previews 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1200m
Washington Lilac, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Zighy Bay (USA) {Tapit {USA}})
The well-bred Washington Lilac (Snitzel) is set to make her debut at Sandown on Wednesday for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
She has had two quiet jump outs at Pakenham in preparation for her debut, and looks well-placed in the hands of jockey Blake Shinn.
Washington Lilac as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Washington Lilac is the seventh foal out of Zighy Bay (USA) (Tapit {USA}), she was placed on the track in France and has gone onto become a successful broodmare.
She has left three winners including the Group 1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), who was also successful at Group 2 and Listed level. Zighy Bay is also a half-sister to Mozu Superflare (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) who has been a Group 1 winner in Japan.
Since leaving Washington Lilac, Zighy Bay has left a yearling filly by Snitzel.
Washington Lilac was purchased by TFI for $625,000 from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Doomben, Race 1, 12.33pm AEDT, Become a BRC Member Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1200m
Some Style, 4-year-old mare (Exceed And Excel x Miss Marielle {Encosta De Lago})
The very well-bred Some Style (Exceed And Excel) is chasing victory in a fresh state on Wednesday at Doomben for Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan. She has been very consistent in her career so far placing three times.
Some Style is a daughter of Darley Stud’s outstanding and now pensioned Exceed And Excel, and is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Miss Marielle. She was a classy six-time winner and her wins included the G2 Hill Stakes, G3 Craven Plate, Listed Express Stakes and the Listed Alexandra Stakes.
Some Style as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has already made her mark at stud leaving five-individual winners including the talented mare Peeping (Redoute’s Choice) who amongst her six wins was the G1 Coolmore Classic, the talented gelding France - Encouraging (H.K.) (Redoute’s Choice) who was successful in the R. Listed Inglis 3YO Guineas, the seven-time winner Armed And Ready (More Than Ready {USA}), the four-time winner Da Nang Star (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), and the two-time winner Able Red - Another Zonda (H.K.) (The Autumn Sun).
Miss Marielle since producing Some Style, has left a 2-year-old filly by Farnan, an Exceed And Excel yearling filly, and is due to foal to Anamoe in November.
Peachester Lodge Trust was the purchaser of Some Style for $500,000 from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Doomben, Race 5, 2.53pm AEDT, Trackside With Ricky Ponting QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate, $40,000, 1350m
Kurithea, 3-year-old filly (Maurice (Jpn) x Irithea {Snitzel})
Doomben’s Wednesday meeting will be the venue for the second start of the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained filly Kurithea (Maurice {Jpn}).
The promising juvenile looked talented running third in a strong maiden at Doomben, on that day she ran home strongly over the 1200 metres, so the 1350 metres should be ideal for her.
Kurithea as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Kurithea is the first foal from the Snitzel mare Irithea, she was talented on the track winning eight times, including in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown, and the G3 Dark Jewel Classic Handicap.
Further back in the family is a nice international flavour with the successful Japanese stallions Epiphaneia (Jpn), and Saturnal (Jpn).
Irithea, since producing Kurithea, has produced a yearling colt named Le Starcell (Pierro), a weanling colt by Dundeel (NZ), and is due to foal to Anamoe in late September.
Kurithea was purchased by Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) for $300,000 from the Bell River draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Above Me (Zoustar) - Ran an okay fifth at Wodonga, she is getting closer to a win.
Eagerly Awaits (Written Tycoon) - Won impressively at Moruya. Off that effort it wont be her last win.
