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 runners by Too Darn Hot (GB), Tassort and Snitzel will be chasing success across Australia on Thursday.
Flemington, Race 7, 4.30pm AEDT, Group 3 Crown Red Roses Stakes, $300,000, 1100m
Cantiamo, 3-year-old filly (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Valencay {Rothesay})
The exciting Too Darn Hot (GB) filly, Cantiamo is chasing her third win from only her fourth start at Flemington at Group 3 level down the straight on Thursday.
She looked smart winning at Kensington at maiden grade in August, and then she backed that effort up with a good win at Warwick Farm over 1200 metres in early September, beating race-rival Surf’s Up (Flying Artie).
After a small freshen up, she has won a trial at Newcastle, and had a look down the straight in a Flemington jump-out on October 24, when running third behind Hidden Motive (Capitalist).
Cantiamo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cantiamo is the fourth foal out of Valencay (Rothesay}), who was placed on the track.
She is very well-related on her damline, she is a descendant of - the famed matriarch Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}). There are so many successful Group winners within her pedigree including Don Eduardo (NZ), Kaapstad (NZ), Forever Loved (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Tristalove (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), Viscount, Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), and Viking Ruler.
Valencay has since produced a 2-year-old colt by Harry Angel (Ire), and is due to foal to Bivouac this spring.
Cantiamo was purchased by Lees Racing and Bahen Bloodstock for $220,000 from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.20pm AEDT, Christmas Raceday 22 November 2025 3YO Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Diacon, 3-year-old filly (Tassort x Sutton Forest {Pierro})
The promising Diacon (Tassort) will be making her debut at Gosford for trainer Bjorn Baker on Thursday. She has had four trials to prepare herself for her first race, and looks a good chance from barrier 2 with Ashley Morgan aboard.
Tassort | Standing at Newgate Farm
Diacon is the fifth foal from Sutton Forest (Pierro), who was a winer at 1400 metres on the track. Sutton Forest is a daughter of Pinezero (Danzero), who was a four-time winner who was successful in the Listed Silver Jubilee Stakes, and the Listed Quezette Stakes.
Since producing Diacon, Sutton Forest has left a yearling filly by Flying Artie, and she foaled a Sejardan colt in September this year.
Diacon was withdrawn from the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.20pm AEDT, Christmas Raceday 22 November 2025 3YO Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Fine Wine, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Upgrading {Encosta De Lago})
Newcastle is the venue for Fine Wine (Snitzel) to make her fourth start for Warwick farm trainer-Gary Portelli on Thursday.
The pwell-bred Snitzel filly has been okay so far on the track, finishing fifth twice and fourth once, without a lot of luck at times. So it would be no surprise to see her feature in this event.
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Fine Wine is the eighth foal out of Upgrading (Encosta De Lago) and she has left six winners, including Improvement (Swiss Ace) who was a five-time winner and stakes placed up to 1400 metres.
In recent times Upgrading has left a 2-year-old filly by Russian Revolution, and a yearling colt by All Too Hard.
Fine Wine was purchased for $260,000 by Portelli Racing from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Koko (Written Tycoon) - Ran fourth on debut at Kyneton, it was a solid effort and she was only beaten less than a length.
National Code (Written Tycoon) - Was a comfortable winner by just under two lengths at Kyneton.
