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 well-bred runners are taking their place across Australia on Saturday, runners by Snitzel, Spirit Of Boom and Zoustar are all chasing maiden success.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1.20pm AEDT, Allied Moving Services Midway Maiden Plate, $45,000, 900m
Fine Wine, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Upgrading {Encosta De Lago})
Newcastle is the venue for Fine Wine (Snitzel) to make her debut for Warwick Farm trainer-Gary Portelli on Saturday.
The promising Snitzel filly has shown some good form at the trials and looks a good chance to competitive on debut in this maiden scamper over the 900 metres from the inside gate.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Fine Wine is the eighth foal out of Upgrading (Encosta De Lago), she has left six winners including Improvement (Swiss Ace) who was a five-time winner and stakes placed up to 1400 metres.
In recent times Upgrading has left a 2-year-old filly by Russian Revolution, and a yearling colt by All Too Hard.
Fine Wine was purchased for $260,000 by Portelli Racing from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 4, 2.35pm AEDT, J&H Commercial Super CG&E Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1250m
Extractor, 3-year-old colt (Spirit Of Boom x Assertory {Not A Single Doubt})
The promising Extractor (Spirit Of Boom) is set to make his sixth start over 1250 metres at Newcastle on Saturday. He showed some real talent as a juvenile placing in the Listed Lonhro Plate and the Golden Gift, and also running honest races in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and the G3 Pago Pago Stakes.
After having a nice break the Michel Freedman-trained colt ran a solid second at Gosford resuming behind the well-bred Banjora (I Am Invincible).
Extractor as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Extractor’s dam Assertory (Not A Single Doubt) was a five-time sprinter on the track. Assertory is a half-sister to Magic Jet (Magic Albert), who was a two-time winner and placed in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes, and the G3 Spring Stakes.
Since producing Extractor, Assertory has produced a 2-year-old colt by Spirit Of Boom, and foaled another Spirit Of Boom colt earlier this month.
Extractor was purchased for $300,000 from the draft of Eureka Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Gandharvi Pty Ltd, and Michael Freedman Racing.
Bet365 Echuca, Race 1, 12.56pm AEDT, Moama Bowling Club Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1000m
Above Me, 4-year-old mare (Zoustar x She’s So High {I Am Invincible})
Above Me, a daughter of Widden Stud’s Champion stallion Zoustar, will be making her fourth career start, and first start for trainer Matt Laurie at Echuca on Saturday.
She has run some solid races and has not been too far away from featuring, it would be no surprise to see her competitive in this maiden event over the short course 1000 metres.
Above Me is the fourth foal from the talented She’s So High (I Am Invincible) who was a winner at Group 3 level, and at Listed level twice.
Above Me as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Further back in the family are the talented Group winners and stallions Deep Field and Shooting To Win, as well as other stakes winners Zaniah (Zoustar) and Listen Here (Elusive Qaulity {USA}).
She’s so High has a 3-year-old colt named Nielsen Park (Zoustar), a 2-year-old colt named Inner Gold (Zoustar), a Zoustar yearling filly, and is due to foal to Zousain next month.
Above Me was purchased for $575,000 by Yu Long Investments from the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Looking Back
Magenta Skies (GB) (Frankel {GB}) - stylish winner as part of a stable double, there will be more to follow.
Keepsake (Snitzel) - faded from second to fourth spot, possibly hunting for further.
