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 at Bendigo on Thursday. Progeny by Frosted (USA), Royal Meeting (Ire) and Castelvecchio are all chasing maiden success.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Ladbrokes SRM in Multis Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1100m
Elsa Of Arendelle, 3-year-old filly (Frosted (USA) x She’s Glamourous {Star Witness})
Cranbourne trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr train the 3-year-old filly Elsa Of Arendelle (Frosted {USA}), who is looking for deserved maiden success at Bendigo’s Thursday meeting.
Elsa Of Arendelle ran a very good third on debut in February over 1000 metres behind Eternal Darkness (I Am Immortal). He then failed at Group 3 level, before he was put away for a break. In preparation for her resuming run, she has won jump-outs on the Cranbourne Synthetic and the Caulfield Heath.
Elsa Of Arendelle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Elsa Of Arendelle is the second foal out of She’s Glamourous (Star Witness). She was unraced on the track, but is well-related being a full sister to the classy filly Global Glamour (Star Witness). She was a dual Group 1 winner of the G1 Flight Stakes and the G1 Thousand Guineas.
Elsa Of Arendelle was passed in short of her $50,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Since producing Elsa Of Arendelle, She’s Glamourous has produced a 2-year-old colt by Capitalist, a yearling filly by Zousain, and is due to foal to Stay Inside any day now.
Bendigo, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, Ladbrokes SRM in Multis Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1100m
Act Natural, 4-year-old gelding (Royal Meeting (Ire) x Sicily {Snitzel})
Bendigo’s Thursday meeting will be the venue for Act Natural (Royal Meeting {Ire}) to chase his maiden success. His form has been rock solid, placing in all of his four career starts. Since having a spell, he has had two jump-outs to prepare himself for his resuming run.
The promising gelding is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Sicily, who was placed on the track in South Australia at metropolitan level.
Act Natural as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Act Natural comes from a very strong extended family, including the classy Group 1 winners Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice), and other Group winners Straight Arron (Fastnet Rock), and Weregoingtogetcha (Testa Rossa).
Unfortunately Sicily has not left a live foal since producing Act Natural, but she has left the winners Ding Ding (Impending), and Lubly Sing (Lean Mean Machine).
Act Natural was purchased for $30,000 by Bourne Racing from the Murrulla Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Catanachs Jewellers Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1400m
Castelli In Aria (NZ), 4-year-old mare (Castelvecchio x Believer (GB) {Lawman {Fr}})
The promising Castelli In Aria (NZ) (Castelvecchio) is set to chase maiden success at Bendigo on Thursday for trainer Enver Jusufovic.
The daughter of Castelvechhio ran a solid second on debut at Bairnsdale on July 21 over 1000 metres, and then another narrow second at Echuca at her last start earlier this month.
Castelli In Aria (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Castelli In Aria is the fourth foal out of Believer (GB) (Lawman {Fr}). She was placed on the track in France and Australia. She hails from a strong international family with Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) being a Group 3 and Listed winner who also placed in both the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in France, as well as last season's talented juvenile Buccleuch (Peltzer), who picked up three wins including one at Listed level.
Since producing Castelli In Aria, Believer has not produced a live foal but is due to foal to Anders in October.
Castelli In Aria was purchased by Bourne Racing Stables from the Glen Lee Thoroughbreds draft for $105,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Pure Passion (Snitzel) - Ran a good fifth at Sandown without a lot of luck.
Lady Pankhurst (Capitalist) - Was very disappointing running eighth at Kensington.
Grand Eagle (Farnan) - Ran a solid second at Kensington, he will improve off that effort.
