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 well-bred runners are taking their place at Hawkesbury and Geelong on Thursday , promising runners by Tagaloa and Savabeel are both chasing success.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 1.40pm AEDT, Clarendon Tavern Midway Class 1 Handicap, $45,000, 1500m
Tambeloa, 3-year-old colt (Tagaloa x Gamble Me {Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}})
The Kristen Buchanan-trained Tambeloa (Tagaloa) resumes as a 3-year-old at Hawkesbury on Wednesday after recently running fourth at the Wyong trials earlier in the month.
He was very consistent as a juvenile and capped off his 2-year-old season with an impressive win at Warwick farm over 1600 metres.
Tambeloa | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The beautifully bred colt is the tenth foal, and seventh winner, for Gamble Me (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). A talented and speedy filly during her racing days, Gamble Me won six races including the G3 Birthday Card Stakes, G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes, Listed Red Roses Stakes, and the Listed Moomba Plate.
Among her seven winners are the stakes-placed duo Major Conquest (More Than Ready {USA}) and Kinagat (Street Cry {Ire}), while another daughter, Sent From Above (Lonhro), is the dam of the smart juvenile Shangri La Express (Alabama Express), who was placed in the G2 Todman Stakes.
Unfortunately, Gamble Me has not produced a live foal since Tambeloa, having missed the last three breeding seasons to a range of Yulong stallions.
Tambeloa was purchased by Tiverton Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Viatek Fujifilm Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1440m
Savisanta (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Savabeel x Not Santa (NZ) {Makfi {GB}})
Savisanta (NZ), a son of Savabeel, will be making his second start at Geelong on Thursday for trainer Chris Waller. He ran a very good second on debut on the same track over a similar distance so with luck from his wide gate looks a good chance.
Savisanta (NZ) | 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 (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}).
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.
Looking Back
Bella Wahine (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Disappointed running sixth at Warwick Farm.
Duke Of Arrakis (Written Tycoon) - Ran a solid third in what looked a strong race at Warwick Farm.
Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) - Ran a very nice second at Sandown resuming.
