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 runners by Justify (USA) and Puissance De Lune (Ire) chase maiden success across Australia on Thursday.
Newcastle, Race 3, 3.05pm Kick Up For Racing Midway Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1400m
Federal Reserve, 3-year-old gelding (Justify (USA) x Bank On This {Lope De Vega {Ire}})
Federal Reserve, a 3-year-old son of Justify (USA), will make his fourth start at Newcastle for Wyong trainer Nacim Dilmi. He has run three solid races in his career so far, including a solid third at Newcastle resuming late last month.
The well-related gelding is the second live foal from the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Bank On This, who only raced twice on the track.
Federal Reserve as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Federal Reserve comes from a very good extended family with horses of the quality of the Group 1 winners Anamato (Redoute’s Choice), Anamoe, Drum (Marauding {NZ}), Dealer Prinicpal (Flying Spur), and Grand Armee (Hennessy {USA}) featuring.
Bank On This, since producing Federal Reserve, has left a Cool Aza Beel (NZ) colt foal this spring
Federal Reserve was purchased initially by HP Thoroughbreds for $40,000 from the Arrandale Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale. He was then a successful pinhook when selling for $180,000 to Domepland Party Limited at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Global Turf Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1600m
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 be chasing maiden success at her second start at Ballarat over 1600 metres on Thursday.
She ran very well for a second placing on debut at Kilmore over 1612 metres, and with natural improvement should be in the finish in this race.
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 dams 100% winners to runners record at stud.
Looking Back
Angelic Rise (Harry Angel {Ire}) - Battled on well for third on the Caulfield Heath.
La Basilique (I Am Invincible) - Disappointed off a wide run at Canterbury, running seventh.
Mother Goose (Lonhro) - Ran a solid third at Canterbury. She ran an honest race.
