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 promising 3-year-olds are hitting the track at Hawkesbury on Thursday. A Savabeel filly is chasing maiden success, and an exciting Capitalist colt attempts to stay unbeaten.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1.50pm AEDT, HRC Motel Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1800m
Fashionable (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Savabeel x Mary Quant (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The Waikato Stud-bred Fashionable (Savabeel) makes her third start at Hawkesbury on Thursday, over what looks like a very suitable step up to 1800 metres, after running on strongly at her runs at 1200 metres and 1500 metres.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly is the fourth foal out of Mary Quant (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who was a five-time winner in New Zealand from 1200 metres up to 2000 metres.
Fashionable (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Mary Quant comes from a very strong Waikato Stud family, being a full sister to the Listed winner Wolfwhistle (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), and a three-quarter-sister to Guyno (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who was successful in the G1 West Australian Derby amongst his eight wins. The durable dual Group 1 winning gelding Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) also features in the pedigree.
In recent years, Mary Quant has produced a 2-year-old colt by Super Seth, a yearling filly by Noverre (NZ), and she was most recently served by Super Seth last spring.
Fashionable was purchased for NZ$100,000 by Michael Freedman Racing and Mick Wallace from the Waikato Stud draft at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 6, 4.55pm AEDT, XXXX Gold CG&E Benchamrk 64 Handicap, $42,000, 1100m
Caesar, 3-year-old colt (Capitalist x Fimatino {Not A Single Doubt})
On Thursday, the exciting Caesar (Capitalist) resumes for trainer Peter Snowden at Hawkesbury. He was an impressive winner at Gosford on debut back in July, and he has prepared for his resuming run with a couple of trials at Randwick, where he has placed in both of them.
Caesar is the seventh winner from eight runners out of Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt), herself a two-time winner. Her best performer has been Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}), an outstanding juvenile who won the G3 Breeders’ Plate, G3 Pago Pago Stakes, and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Further back in the pedigree are G1 WS Cox Plate winner and successful sire Shamus Award, and the Listed-winning sprinter Insurrection (Russian Revolution).
Caesar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Caesar was purchased for $800,000 from Attunga Stud by James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was the highest-priced Capitalist yearling sold in 2024.
Fimatino continues to prove her value in the breeding shed. Her I Am Invincible 2-year-old filly fetched $460,000 at Magic Millions earlier this year when sold to Tom Magnier, Charles Shanahan, Megan O’Leary and Neasham & Archibald Racing. She has a Home Affairs yearling filly and missed to Capitalist last spring.
Looking Back
Celtics (I Am Invincible) - Disappointed running sixth at Sale. It was a bit of a forget run as he was slow away and raced very keen, he could improve quickly.
Bajaria (I Am Invincible) - Won narrowly, but impressively in the style of a nice filly at Sale.
Savisanta (NZ) (Savabeel) - Settled well back in the field and ran on strongly to finish second, he was beaten convincingly but looks like he will keep getting better over further.
