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 runners by Tassort, Royal Meeting (Ire) and Savabeel are all chasing maiden success at Geelong on Friday.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Form Genius 3YO Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1125m
Miss Deceiver, 3-year-old filly (Tassort x Little White Lies {Snitzel})
Geelong’s Friday’s meeting will be the venue for the debut of Miss Deceiver (Tassort). This promising Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old has had plenty of jump-out and trial experience, and looks ready to run well in the hands of jockey Declan Bates.
The sharply-bred filly is the first foal from the Snitzel mare Little White Lies, who was a two-time winner over 1200 and 1300 metres on the track.
Miss Deceiver as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Little White Lies is a half sister to Tell Me (Choisir), who was a four-time winner and placed in the Listed Gosford Guineas. Further back in the family is the Listed winner Noctunelle (Elusive Quality {USA}) who is the dam of the promising young Group winning sire Dracarys.
Little White Lies since producing Miss Deceiver has produced a yearling colt by Capitalist, and foaled a Tassort colt late last month.
Miss Deceiver sold for $20,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, with Flying Start Syndications and Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) being the successful purchasers from the draft of Emirates Park.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 2, 1.45pm AEDT, Prestige Jayco Geelong Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1225m
Act Natural, 4-year-old gelding (Royal Meeting (Ire) x Sicily {Snitzel})
Geelong’s Friday 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 five starts, including a solid second resuming on the Pakenham Synthetic late last month.
The gelding is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Sicily, who was placed on the track in South Australia.
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.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 3, 2.20pm AEDT, Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1425m
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 Geelong on Friday for trainer Chris Waller. He has had plenty of jump-out experience in Melbourne and looks well-educated to run well on debut over 1425 metres.
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 (H.K.) (Makfi {GB}), and a half sister to the Listed winners Dancer’s Tale (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), and Travimyfriend (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Savisanta (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
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 the exciting 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.
Looking Back
Cavalry (Brutal {NZ}) - Ran a very unlucky third at Seymour, he charged home once he finally got clear running.
Cafe Au Lait (Alabama Express) - Was a narrow but impressive winner at Seymour.
