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 promising 3-year-olds by Tagaloa and Maurice (Jpn) chase maiden success at Scone on Tuesday.
Scone, Race 4, 3.05pm AEDT, Gulliver’s Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1400m
Spicy Surprise, 3-year-old colt (Tagaloa x Misty Summer {Dundeel {NZ}})
The promising Spicy Surprise (Tagaloa) chases maiden success at start number three for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald at Scone on Tuesday.
The Tagaloa colt has run third on both of this career starts at Scone and Hawkesbury, and is working towards a win at maiden grade.
Spicy Surprise is the second foal out of Misty Summer (Dundeed {NZ}), she was a three-time winner up to 2100 metres, and is out of Wind Bender (Redoute’s Choice) who was also a three-time winner.
Spicy Surprise as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Spicy Surprise’s grandam Dowry (NZ) (Bahhare {USA}) was successful in the G1 South Australian Oaks and the G3 Manawatu Classic on the track. Another talented extended member of this family is Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) the winner of the G1 Tarzino Trophy.
Spicy Surprise was purchased by Matt Vella for $15,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Scone, Race 5, 3.40pm AEDT, Select Events Maiden Plate, $27,000, 1200m
Avista, 3-year-old filly (Maurice (Jpn) x Phyllis Maud (Ire) {Halling {USA}})
The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Avista (Maurice {Jpn}) makes her debut on her hometrack at Scone on Tuesday over 1200 metres.
The filly, owned by Arrowfield Stud and Belford Productions, has had a couple of educational trials at Muswellbrook in preparation for her debut, and will be ridden by Ashley Morgan.
Avista as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Avista is the fourth foal out of Phyllis Maud (Ire) (Halling {USA}), she was a four-time winning mare in Great Britain, and is a half sister to the outstanding Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).
He was a four-time Group 1 winner in Australia, and picked up 13 wins across Great Britain and Australia. He is also a half sister to the Listed winner Roz (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), and the Listed-placed duo of Dominetta (Zoustar), and Ursula (USA) (Tapit {USA}).
In recent years, Phyllis Maud has left a 2-year-old colt by The Autumn Sun, and was due to foal to Paulele this spring.
Avista was passed in short of her $250,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Chisholm (I Am Invincible) - Was scratched from her race at Wyong, the well bred filly will keep for another day.
Mignonette (Zoustar) - Disappointed running sixth at Wyong.
