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 3-year-olds are taking their place at Newcastle on Thursday, promising runners by Capitalist and Lucky Vega (Ire) are both chasing maiden success.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Good Luck Sam Clenton @ Equimillion Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 900m
Hayek, 3-year-old gelding (Capitalist x Purely Spectacular {Pins})
Hayek, a 3-year-old son of Capitalist, will make his debut at Newcastle on Thursday for trainer Bjorn Baker. The well-bred colt ran two solid fourths in his 2-year-old campaign.
He is very well-related being out of Purely Spectacular (Pins), the dam of Stratum Star and Prague, who were Group 1 and Group 3 winners respectively, and have become stallions. As well as Serenade, a smart stakes-performed filly by Star Witness.
Hayek as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Purely Spectacular is also a three-quarter-sister to three stakes-placed runners who are Pinstripe Lane (NZ) (Pins), Does It (NZ) (Pins), Look Sharpish (NZ) (Pins) and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Cruising Speed (NZ) (Savabeel).
Hawek was a $300,000 purchase by Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 2, 3pm AEDT, Good Luck Sandie Want @ Equimillion Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Green Spring, 3-year-old gelding (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Soosa Rama {Bel Esprit})
The sharply-bred Green Spring (Lucky Vega {Ire}), is set to make his third start over 1200 metres for trainers Annabel and Rob Neasham at Newcastle on Thursday. He has looked smart placing at his two juvenile runs last campaign.
Green Spring is out of Soosa Rama (Bel Esprit), she was a four-time winner up to 1400 metres and has left three individual winners including Navillus Hellfire (Hellbent), Flying Artist (Flying Artie), and Power Bank (Deep Field).
Green Spring as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Green Spring was originally purchased for $17,500 by Duryea Racing from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale, he was then presented by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where he sold to Midori racing for $140,000.
Soosa Rama, since producing Green Spring, has left a 2-year-old filly by Captivant, and is due to foal to Sebring Sun later this spring.
Looking Back
Act Natural (Royal Meeting {Ire}) - Ran another solid placing at Sandown, he is due a winning turn soon.
Green Spring (Lucky Vega {Ire}) - Was scratched from Rosehill, he is instead a selection for Newcastle on Thursday.
Snitzel Dancer (Snitzel) - Ran a solid second up in grade at Rosehill.
