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 3-year-olds by Wootton Bassett (GB) and I Am Invincible will be making their debut at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 12.45pm AEDT, Zac Lloyd Champion Jockey & Apprentice Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1100m
West Of Swindon, 3-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Fife {Starcraft {USA}})
The promising Wootton Bassett (GB) 3-year-old colt, West Of Swindon is set to make his fourth start over 1100 metres at Hawkesbury for his new trainer Ciaron Maher on Thursday.
He looked very smart last preparation running second in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, and the Golden Gift before failing in the G1 Golden Slipper at his most recent start.
After a nice break and a couple of trials he looks well-placed for his resuming run in the hands of jockey Jason Collett.
West Of Swindon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
West Of Swindon is the third foal out of Fife (Starcraft {NZ}), she was a winner at 1400 metres and multiple times metropolitan placed in Melbourne.
Fife is very well-bred being a half-sister to Fawkner (Reset) who amongst his 11 wins was success in the G1 Caulfield Cup, G1 Caulfield Stakes, and the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes, and Tanby (Galileo {Ire}) who was also an 11-time winner, including three being at Group 2 level, and two Listed races.
West Of Swindon’s grandam Dane Belltar (Danewin) was a four-time winner including in the G3 Auraria Stakes, and was three time Group 1 Oaks placed.
Fife has since produced a 2-year-old filly by So You Think (NZ), a yearling colt by Toronado (Ire), and is due to foal to Wootton Bassett later this spring.
West Of Swindon was purchased by Hawkes Racing for $350,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 3, 1.55pm AEDT, Clarendon Tavern 3YO Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1000m
Rajwa, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Red Lodge (USA) {Midshipman {USA}})
Hawkesbury’s Thursday meeting will serve as the venue for Rajwa (I Am Invincible) to make her debut. She is a well-bred daughter of I Am Invincible, bred and owned by Emirates Park and trained by Michael Freedman.
She has had four trials and looks well educated to make her debut in the hands of jockey James McDonald.
Rajwa is the fourth foal out of the handy filly Red Lodge (USA) (Midshipman {USA}). She was a dual winner in America as a juvenile including at Listed level.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park
She has already made an impact as a broodmare, leaving three winners, including the outstanding filly Manaal (Tassort), who has been a four-time winner, including in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes, G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, G2 Furious Stakes, and the G3 Gimcrack Stakes.
She won a trial recently at Randwick and looks like she could be in for another big campaign.
Recently, Red Lodge has left a 2-year-old filly by Zoustar, a yearling colt by Justify (USA), and missed to Tassort last season.
Looking Back
Lady Pankhurst (Capitalist) - Was scratched from her race at Warwick Farm, she will keep for another day.
Kiwi Harmony (NZ) (Ardrossan) - Ran an honest race for sixth in a strong field at Sandown.
Wetumpka (Alabama Express) - Ran a solid second at Sandown, a win is getting close.
