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 exciting 3-year-olds by Exceedance, I Am Invincible and Hellbent chase success across Australia on Wednesday.
Bendigo, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Big Al’s Water 3YO Maiden Plate, $50,000, 1000m
Street Legal, 3-year-old gelding (Exceedance x Street Made (Can) {Street Boss {USA}})
The in-form Phillip Stokes trains the 3-year-old gelding Street Legal (Exceedance) to make his third start over 1000 metres at Bendigo on Wednesday.
On debut he ran a very nice second behind the talented Hello Romeo (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) back in June at Sandown, and then he resumed with a solid third at Pakenham behind Choir Point (Blue Point {Ire}) on October 17, where he just peaked on his run late.
This promising gelding is the third foal from the Street Boss USA) mare Street Made (Can}, who was a two-time winner and placed twice at Listed level in Canada. She has made a good start to her stud career with her first two foals Rickythesteamboat (Rubick) and Busker (Trapeze Artist) both being winners.
Street Legal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Street Legal has some strong stallion pedigree influences that are both international and colonial, stallions that are prominent are Danehill (USA), Nureyev (USA), Exceed And Excel, Street Cry (Ire), Thorn Park, Gold Brose and Mr. Prospector (USA).
Since producing Street Legal, Street Made has left a 2-year-old filly by Wild Ruler named Trump Street, and foaled an In The Congo colt in September.
Street Legal was most recently purchased by Phillip Stokes Racing and Rick Connolly Bloodstock for $50,000 from the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the Newhaven Park draft.
Bendigo, Race 2, 1.25pm AEDT, Catanachs Jewellers 3YO BM64 Handicap, $50,000, 1300m
Bajaria, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Oregon’s Day {Domesday})
The well-bred Bajaria (I Am Invincible), is set to make her fourth career start at Bendigo on Wednesday for her trainer Peter Gelagotis.
On debut Bajaria ran a very good fourth at Bendigo where she attacked the line strongly over 1000 metres, before running a solid third at Geelong in late August, and winning nicely in maiden grade at Sale earlier this month.
She looks capable of taking the step up in grade and distance in the hands of Jye McNeil, who was on her when she won last start.
Bajaria as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bajaria is the third foal out of the very well-performed Oregon’s Day (Domesday), she was a five-time winner and won just under $1 million on the track. Her wins included the G2 AD Hollindale Stakes, G3 Frances Tressady Stakes, G3 Alexandra Stakes, and the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup.
Oregon’s Day is also a half-sister to the G2 Perth Cup winner Talent Show (Jeune {GB}) and the Listed winner Oregon Spirit (Bel Esprit), and is out of the Group 3 winner Oregon Seal (NZ) (Oregon {USA}).
Oregon’s Day has since left a yearling filly by Snitzel, and is due to foal to Anamoe any day now.
Bajaria was purchased for $525,000 by Toking, Stephen Gray Racing and Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 1, 3pm AEDT, TAB Plate, $100,000, 1400m
Peace Bird, 3-year-old filly (Hellbent x Dove Lake {Flying Spur})
The promising Peace Bird (Hellbent) makes her third start for trainer Ciaron Maher at Rosehill on Wednesday. The Cressfield-owned filly ran a close-up second behind the exciting Nitro (Deep Field) at Warwick Farm at her last start, and a maiden win looks close.
The Hellbent filly has a beautiful pedigree, she is out of Dove Lake (Flying Spur), who was a metropolitan 2-year-old winner in Sydney. She has left four individual winners including the six-time winner Lighthorse Lad (I Am Invincible).
Peace Bird as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Dove Lake is a half sister to Headwater, who is now a stallion at Vinery Stud. He was the winner of the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, Listed Kensington Stakes, and also ran fourth in the G1 Moir Stakes.
Other top-class perofrmers in the family include the 2-year-old Group 1 winner and young sire Captivant, the Group 2 winner First Command (Commands), the Hong Kong Group 2 winner One World (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Dove Lake in recent years, has left a Hellbent full sister to Peace Bird, before she sadly died earlier this month.
Peace Bird was passed in short of her $100,000 reserve when presented by Cressfield at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Bohemian Art (Deep Field) - Ran an honest fourth at Hawkesbury.
Casserousse (Exceed And Excel) - Was an impressive winner at Hawkesbury, in the same race Yoweri (I Am Invinicble) was solid enough in fourth.
