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 runners by Street Boss (USA) and Ghaiyyath (Ire) are chasing maiden success across Australia on Friday.
Bet 365 Hamilton, Race 3, 3pm AEDT, Mark Kirchner Food Service Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1100m
Akuma, 4-year-old gelding (Street Boss (USA) x Jesse’s Dream {Choisir})
The Flemington-based trainer Danny O’Brien saddles up Akuma (Street Boss {USA}) to make his fourth start at Hamilton over 1100 metres on Friday. His form has only been moderate in his three starts to date, but after a break and a couple of solid Flemington jump-outs, he may have a chance of featuring in this maiden event at good odds.
This nicely bred colt is the fifth live-foal from the Choisir mare Jesse’s Dream, who surprisingly was successful at 2000 metres, given the speed presence throughout her pedigree.
Akuma as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Jesse’s Dream is a full-sister to the very quick Eloping (Choisir), she was a seven-time winner at distances up to 1200 metres including the G3 Randwick Stakes, G3 Champagne Stakes, Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes, Listed Blue Diamond Preview (f), and the Listed Silk Stocking Handicap.
She has then gone on to flourish as a broodmare, leaving the outstanding In Secret (I Am Invincible), who was purchased by Godolphin for $900,000 as a yearling from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, before James Cummings trained her to become a dual Group 1 winner.
Jesse’s Dream since producing Akuma, has left a 3-year-old colt by Hanseatic, a yearling filly by Paulele, and missed to Lofty Strike last spring.
Akuma was purchased by Danny O’Brien Racing from the draft of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm for $120,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 2, 6.45pm, AEDT, Ladbrokes SRM in Multis 3YO Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1400m
Winsilence (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Ghaiyyath (Ire) x Darci Brahma (NZ) {O’Reilly {NZ}})
The promising Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Winsilence (NZ) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) is chasing victory on debut at Pakenham on Friday.
He has had plenty of jump-out and trial experience and looked handy winning his last two jump-outs over 1000 metres at Pakenham both last month.
Winsilence comes from a strong family. He is the first foal from Ninkasi (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), an unplaced half sister to the Group 1 winning 2-year-old Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi {Ire}), and the five-time winner and Listed placed Waimarie (Snitzel).
Winsilence (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Winsilence’s fourth dam is Horlicks (NZ) (Three Legs {GB}), who was a 17-time winner and she won five Group 1 races across New Zealand and Australia and she also won the Japan Cup.
In recent years, Ninkasi has produced a 2-year-old gelding named Sumerian (NZ) (Armory {Ire}), and is due to foal to Chaldean (GB) this spring.
Winsilence was purchased for $275,000 by X Bloodstock from the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Cantiamo (Too Darn Hot {GB}) - Ran an honest race in the G3 Red Roses Stakes finishing sixth, she looks well up to that company.
Fine Wine (Snitzel) - Was a narrow but deserved winner at Gosford, while Diacon (Tassort) was a solid fourth on debut in the same race.
