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 promising runners by Puissance De Lune (Ire), I Am Invincible and Extreme Choice are chasing maiden success at Kilmore on Friday.
Bet365 Park-Kilmore, Race 1, 2pm AEDT, Bet365 Top Finishes Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1612m
Big Sister Ava, 4-year-old mare (Puissance De Lune (Ire) x Arohanui {Bianconi {USA}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Puissance De Lune (IRE) mare Big Sister Ava, will travel to Kilmore on Friday to make her debut.
Puissance De Lune (IRE) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Big Sister Ava is the sixth-live foal from the Bianconi (USA) mare Arohanui, who was a two-time winner. She has proven to be a very handy broodmare leaving five-winners including the Jericho Cup and Grand National Hurdle winner in Wil John (Reset), the stakes placed stayer Wahine Toa (Dalakhani {Ire}), three-time winner Aroha Te Mana (Von Costa de Hero) and the outstanding Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) who is now a nine-time winner including at Group 1 level in the CF Orr Stakes.
Unfortunately, Big Sister Ava was Arohanui’s last foal as she died in 2021, she will be trying to keep up her 100% record at stud, as she strives to become the mares sixth winner from only the six progeny to race.
Bet365 Park-Kilmore, Race 2, 2.30pm AEDT, Vale Frank Barber Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1112m
Celtics, 3-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Enbihaar {Magnus})
The very well-bred Celtics (I Am Invincible) makes his second start at Kilmore on Friday after running a moderate sixth on debut at Sale earlier in the month, when favoured in the market.
The I Am Invincible colt is the third foal out of the smart juvenile Enbihaar (Magnus), she won twice as a 2-year-old, including in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (f), and was also placed in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Celtic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She has then went on to become a super broodmare leaving the Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who sold for $2.4 million to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Enbihaar is also a full sister to the smart Miss Celine (Magnus), who won the Listed Debutant Stakes on debut as a juvenile.
Enbihaar sold at this year’s Chairman’s Sale for $1.6 million to the bid of Z Zhijun, and she is due to foal to Zoustar late this month.
Celtics was purchased by Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Mick Price Racing for $700,000 from the Kulani Park draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Park-Kilmore, Race 2, 2.30pm AEDT, Vale Frank Barber Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1112m
Donato, 3-year-old colt (Extreme Choice x Burgundy Belle {NZ} {Burgundy {NZ}})
The promising Donato (Extreme Choice) makes his second start at Kilmore on Friday for trainer Mark Walker. He looked talented running second on debut at Tatura late last month, and has been given time after that race, as a result he looks ready to fire in the hands of jockey Patrick Moloney.
Donato is the first foal out of the talented Burgundy Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}), who was a four-time winner, but placed in the G1 Telegraph Handicap, Listed Matamata Cup, and the Listed Levin Stakes.
Extreme Choice | Standing at Newgate Farm
His grandam is Spin ‘N Grin (Spinning World {USA}) who was the winner of the G2 Eight Carat Classic on the track, and placed in the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. She herself is a half sister to Mr Smugg (NZ) (Spectactular Love {USA}), who was a Listed winner in Queensland.
Burgundy Belle in recent years has left a 2-year-old colt named Piko Bullet (Stay Inside) that is now in Japan, a Maurice (Jpn) yearling filly, and foaled a Maurice filly in early September.
Donato was withdrawn from the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Super Scotch (NZ) (Super Seth) - Ran a battling fifth at Wyong, he will improve with the experience.
Confidentiality (Shalaa {Ire}) - Led all the way nicely to score at Wyong.
