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 exciting 3-year-old fillies by Street Boss (USA), I Am Invincible and Zoustar are chasing success on the Randwick Kensington on Friday.
Randwick Kensington, Race 2, 3.20pm AEDT, Randwick Mayor’s Cup Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1300m
Daphnes, 3-year-old filly (Street Boss (USA) x Athiri {Lonhro})
Randwick Kensington’s Friday meeting will be the venue for the Godolphin owned and Michael Freedman-trained filly Daphnes (Street Boss {USA}) to chase her maiden success.
Daphnes is out of the dual Listed winner Athiri (Lonhro), who is half sister to Godolphin’s brilliant race mare Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) who won 12 races including five at Group 2 level and was three times Group 1 placed.
Street Boss (USA) | Standing at Darley
Athiri is also a full sister to the stakes placed Rakomelo (Lonhro), and a half-sister to G2 Moreton Cup winner Vilana (Hallowed Crown), as well as the Listed placed Aleppo Pine (Blue Point {Ire}).
Athiri’s dam, Retsina (Redoute’s Choice) is a winning daughter of Group 1 winner Star Shiraz (Sequalo), and Athiri this spring produced a filly by the in-form Street Boss (USA).
Randwick Kensington, Race 2, 3.20pm AEDT, Randwick Mayor’s Cup Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1300m
La Basilique, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Vezalay {Shamardal {USA}})
The well-bred La Basilique (I Am Invincible) is set to make her third career start on Friday, on the Kensington for her trainer Chris Waller.
After running a solid second at Kembla Grange on debut behind Virgil’s Gift (Street Boss {USA}) over 1200 metres, she disappointed at Canterbury at her next start, but if you forgive her that run she can be in the mix on Friday.
La Basilique as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
La Basilique is the fourth and last foal from Vezalay (Shamardal {USA}), who was a Listed winner on the track, and a subsequent $1 million purchase as a broodmare.
Further back in the family is the Group 3 winner and young sire Sun City, and the stakes winners Royal Discretion (Royal Academy {USA}), Roulettes (Flying Spur), and Parlophone (I Am Invincible).
La Basilique was purchased by Highway Farm for $1 million from the Widden Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Randwick Kensington, Race 5, 5.20pm AEDT, Vinnie @ Yarraman Park B64 Handicap, $60,000, 1400m
Plaintiff, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Prompt Response {Beneteau})
The superbly-bred Plaintiff (Zoustar) is set to attempt to make it two starts for two wins on the Kensington on Friday night.
She was an impressive winner at Rosehill on debut over 1200 metres, when defeating Jaegers (Bivouac) by just over a length in the middle of last month.
Plaintiff is out of the talented Beneteau mare Prompt Response, a six-time winner whose victories included the G1 Tattersalls Tiara, G2 Emancipation Stakes, G2 Breeders’ Classic, G2 Dane Ripper Stakes, and the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes.
Plaintiff as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is also very well-related with her full brother Prompt Return (Beneteau) winning seven times including in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate, Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) is a half-sister, and she was a smart 2-year-old placing in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (f).
Unfortunately Plaintiff was Prompt Response’s last foal as she sadly died earlier this year, the mare has been a star at stud in the sales ring, all from the draft of Widden Stud.
Her first foal Big Demeanor (I Am Invincible) sold for $500,000 to Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sister Cynane (I Am Invincible) sold for $1.3 million to Wexford Stables at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and Plaintiff sold for $2.3 million to James Harron Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Diacon (Tassort) - Ran a tidy second, first time up in grade at Gosford.
Pyrolysis (Zoustar) - Was good again running second at Gosford, a win is getting close.
Forceofone (NZ) (Super Seth) - The races at Geelong were abandoned due to high winds before he got the chance to race.
