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 promising 3-year-olds by Ole Kirk and Hello Youmzain (Fr) make their debut at Benalla on Tuesday.
Bet365-Benalla, Race 1, 1pm, AEDT, Lakeside Conveyancing 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1212m
Superior Dame, 3-year-old filly (Ole Kirk x Supara {Domesday})
Benalla’s Tuesday meeting will serve as the venue for the debut of Superior Dame, a very well-bred daughter of Ole Kirk that is trained by Robbie Griffiths. She has looked like a very talented filly at the jump-outs, winning all four of them, and she is expected to run well on debut.
Superior Dame is the fifth foal out of Supara (Domesday). Although she only won one race at 1100 metres, she showed her class, placing in the G2 Surrond Stakes, G2 Emancipation Stakes, and the G2 Phar Lap Stakes.
Superior Dame as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She has done a solid job at stud, leaving three winners, including the talented Brosnan (Snitzel), who was a winner as a juvenile, and placed in the G1 JJ Atkins Plate and the G2 Phar Lap Stakes.
Supara, since producing Superior Dame, has left a 2-year-old filly by Russian Revolution, and she was not served last year.
Superior Dame was purchased for $1 million by Griffiths De Kock Fillies Partnership, Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) and Brookdale Racing from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bet365-Benalla, Race 2, 1.30pm, AEDT, Marshalls + Dent + Wilmoth Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1212m
Zayyano (NZ), 3-year-old colt (Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Ruqqaya (NZ) {Van Nistelrooy {USA}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Zayyano (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), will make his debut over 1212 metres at Benalla on Tuesday. He has shown talent at the jump-outs and trials, including winning his last one at Bendigo over 1000 metres.
Zayyano is the ninth foal from the Van Nistelrooy (USA) mare Ruqqaya (NZ), a two-time winner over staying trips.
Zayyano (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has gone on to thrive as a broodmare, having left six winners including Grunt (NZ), who know stands at Yulong Stud but before that was succssful in the G1 Australian Guineas and the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes, and Zaydani (NZ) (Savabeel) is another of her progeny and she has been successful at Group 3 level and Listed level twice.
Ruqqaya is also well-related, being a half-sister to Ocean Park (NZ), who has been a very successful stallion at Waikato Stud and was a five-time Group 1 winner on the track.
Since producing Zayyano, Ruqqaya has left a yearling colt by Proisir, and is due to foal to Paddington (GB) late in September.
Zayyano was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing and Cambridge Stud for $400,000 from the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Trelawney Stud draft.
Looking Back
Sunday 31/8/25
Strongside (Super Seth) - Won nicely at Gosford. It was a determined effort, and he looks like he will improve with maturity and more distance.
Rajwa (I Am Invincible) - Ran an honest fourth on debut at Gosford.
