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.
A son of Tagaloa is primed for his maiden victory at Scone's Tuesday meeting and a Zoustar mare is knocking on the door at Donald.
Scone, Race 1, 1.50pm AEDT, Darley 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 four for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald at Scone on Tuesday.
The Tagaloa colt has run third in both of his first two career starts at Scone and Hawkesbury, before failing last start - forgive that run and he looks ready to strike in this race.
Spicy Surprise as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Spicy Surprise is the second foal out of Misty Summer (Dundeed {NZ}), she was a three-time winner up to 2100 metres, and she is out of Wind Bender (Redoute’s Choice) who was also a three-time winner.
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.
Donald, Race 1, 1.30pm AEDT, Pacific Fuel Solutions Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1000m
Above Me, 4-year-old mare (Zoustar x She’s So High {I Am Invincible})
Above Me, a daughter of Widden Stud’s Champion stallion Zoustar, will be chasing maiden success for trainer Matt Laurie at Donald on Tuesday.
She has run some solid races and has not been too far away from featuring, it would be no surprise to see her competitive in this maiden event over the short course of 1000 metres.
Above Me is the fourth foal from the talented She’s So High (I Am Invincible), who was a winner at Group 3 level, and at Listed level twice.
Above Me as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Further back in the family are the talented Group winners and stallions Deep Field and Shooting To Win, as well as other stakes winners Zaniah (Zoustar) and Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}).
She’s So High has a 3-year-old gelding named Nielsen Park (Zoustar), a 2-year-old colt named Inner Gold (Zoustar), a Zoustar yearling filly, and a Zousain filly foal that was born this spring.
Above Me was purchased for $575,000 by Yu Long Investments from the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Looking Back
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Both Contemplates (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) and Vega Sicilia (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) ended up being scratched on Sunday, they will keep for another day.
