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.
On Sunday at Bendigo, a Savabeel 3-year-old will debut for Chris Waller, a Written Tycoon mare will bid to shed her maiden status, and an expensive New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale graduate heads to her second start with high hopes.
Bendigo, Race 3, 2pm AEDT, Budget Car and Truck Hire 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Savisanta (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Savabeel x Not Santa (NZ) {Makfi {GB}})
Savisanta (NZ), a son of Savabeel, will be making his debut at Bendigo on Sunday for trainer Chris Waller. He has had plenty of jump-out experience in Melbourne and looks well-educated to run well on debut over 1300 metres.
Savisanta (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The well-bred gelding is the first foal from the four-time winner Not Santa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}}). She is a well-related type being a sister to the Group 3 winner Matchbreaker (NZ) - Monster Kaka (HK) (Makfi {GB}), and a half sister to the Listed winners Dancer’s Tale (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), and Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Not Santa, since producing Savisanta, has left a 2-year-old filly by Savabeel, a yearling colt by Savabeel, and is due to foal to Super Seth later this spring.
Savisanta was purchased by Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock for NZ$150,000 from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Bendigo, Race 4, 2.35pm AEDT, Ranbuild Sheds 4YO+ Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Sensational Secret, 4-year-old mare (Written Tycoon x Secret Doubt {Not A Single Doubt})
The well-related Sensational Secret (Written Tycoon) is set to make her fourth start at Bendigo over 1300 metres on Sunday for trainer Grahame Begg. She has ran three very good placings in her career so far and looks a great chance to break through for her maiden victory.
Sensational Secret is out of Secret Doubt (Not A Single Doubt) who was a two-time winner on the track at 1200 metres and 1400 metres.
Sensational Secret as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sensational Secret’s grandam is the very talented Covertly (Metal Storm {Fr}), she was a six-time winner up to 1600 metres. Her career highlight came when she was victorious in the G1 Railway Stakes.
Secret Doubt since producing Sensational Secret has left a 3-year-old filly named Intelligencer (Written Tycoon), a 2-year-old filly by Home Affairs, a yearling filly by Anamoe, and is due to foal to Home Affairs later this month.
Sensational Secret was purchased for $205,000 by Brentknoll Thoroughbreds from the Morningside draft at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Bendigo, Race 5, 3.15pm AEDT, DeAraugo & Lea Electrical Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1600m
Seychelles (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Proisir x Donna Marie (NZ) {Don Eduardo {NZ}})
The well-bred and expensive NZ$1.6 million yearling purchase, Seychelles (NZ) (Proisir) will make her second start at Bendigo on Sunday for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
On debut she ran a very promising third at debut over 1512 metres, where she was attacking the line well in the style of a potential stayer of the future.
This promising filly is the sixth foal from Donna Marie (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), Donna Marie was placed on the track in both New Zealand and Australia but she has excelled as a broodmare.
Seychelles (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
She has left four winners including the very good filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) who was an eight-time winner and successful in the G1 New Zealand Stakes and the G1 Vinery Stakes, she has also left the Listed placed and winner over 1400 metres in Ajay Tee (NZ) (Foxwedge).
In recent times Donna Marie has left a 2-year-old filly that was purchased for NZ$1.1 million by Roger James at this years Karaka sale, a yearling filly by Proisir, and she is due to foal to Chaldean (GB) this spring.
Seychelles was purchased from the draft of Hallmark Stud by Moody racing for NZ$1.6 million at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Defiance - finished fifth, never really in the running for the placings.
Planet Red - fourth behind the winner Rosberg (Deep Field), should improve from the effort.
Space Rider - somewhat disappointing when seventh at Moonee Valley, beaten four and a quarter lengths.
