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 exciting progeny of Written Tycoon are chasing maiden success at Kyneton on Wednesday.
Bet 365 Park Kyneton, Race 2, 1.25pm AEDT, Carlton Draught 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1203m
Koko, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Tawteen {Stratum})
The Mark Walker-trained Koko (Written Tycoon) is set to make her debut at Kyneton on Wednesday in the hands of Luke Cartwright. She looked talented winning her last jump-out at Cranbourne over 1000 metres on October 20.
Koko is by Written Tycoon and is the sixth foal out of Tawteen (Stratum), she was a seven-time winner including at Listed level, and her half brother Well Sprung (Star Witness) was also successful at Listed level among his four wins.
Koko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Koko has some outstanding international pedigree influences deeper in her pedigree, her grandam Sprung (USA) was a Group 3 winner in America and is by the very good sire Grand Slam (USA).
Since producing Koko, Tawteen has left a 2-year-old named Teen Torque (Grunt {NZ}), and foaled a Pierata filly in September.
David Ellis (CNZM) was the purchaser of Koko for $120,000 from the draft of Yulong at the 20234 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Bet 365 Park Kyneton, Race 3, 2pm AEDT, Kyneton Car & Dog Wash Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1103m
National Code, 4-year-old mare (Written Tycoon x Sarraqa {Snitzel})
The beautifully bred National Code (Written Tycoon) resumes at Kyneton on Thursday for the Hayes brothers. She ran a very nice second on debut at Sale back in May, and after a break and a few jump-outs at Flemington she looks well placed in this maiden event.
National Code is out of the unraced Snitzel mare Sarraqa, making her a half-sister to Celestial Legend, he was the winner of the G1 Randwick Guineas and the G1 Doncaster Handicap on the track, and he is currently serving his first book of mares at stud.
National Code as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The depth of National Code’s pedigree doesn't end there, Sarraqa is a three-quarter-sister to the South African Group 1 winners and sires Rafeef and Mustaaqeem.
Her grandam is National Colour (Saf) (National Assembly {Can}), she was a Champion older sprinter in Great Britain, and a Champion 3-year-old filly in South Africa. She was successful at Group 1 level three times.
In recent years, Sarraqa has left a 3-year-old gelding named Maurraqa (Maurice {Jpn}), and yearling and foal colts by Dundeel (NZ).
National Code was originally purchased by MDK International and Grifiths de Kock Racing for $160,000 at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She was then purchased by Ridgmont South Africa for $230,000 via the 2025 Inglis Digital January Sale.
Looking Back
Carnevale (Pinatubo {Ire}) - Ran a brave fourth on debut at Flemington at Group 3 level in the Maribyrnong Plate, he will improve off that performance.
Free Flying (Snitzel) - Was scratched from her race at Flemington, she will keep for another day.
Above Me (Zoustar) - Was scratched from her race at Echuca, she will chase maiden glory at another venue.
