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 juveniles by Sun City, Too Darn Hot (GB) and Farnan take their place across Australia on Saturday.
Gold Coast, Race 1, 3.05pm AEDT (2.05pm local), Aquis Gold Nugget QTIS 2YO Colts & Geldings, $150,000, 1100m
Itchintogo, 2-year-old gelding (Sun City x Nothing To Lose {Makfi {USA}})
The promising Tony Gollan-trained Itchintogo (Sun City) lines up at the Gold Coast on Saturday as he chases his second career win.
He was an impressive winner of The Listed Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben at start number two, after running a solid second on debut on the same track behind the classy Zip Lock (Hellbent).
Itchintogo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Itchintogo is out of the five-time winning mare Nothing To Lose (Makfi {USA}), and is the only stakes winner to date by Sun City, a Group 3 winning son of Zoustar who stands at Telemon Thoroughbreds in Queensland.
He comes from a deep New Zealand pedigree, descending from the family of Group 1 winners Wyndspelle (NZ) and Provence (NZ) (Savabeel).
Itchintogo was a $60,000 purchase by Glenhuntly Lodge from the draft of Lucas Bloodstock at the 2025 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.
Gold Coast, Race 2, 3.45pm AEDT (2.45pm local), Aquis Gold Pearl QTIS 2YO Fillies, $150,000, 1100m
Shiki, 2-year-old filly (Too Darn Hot (GB) x Jest Excel {Exceed And Excel})
The very exciting Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}) looks very hard to beat at the Gold Coast on Saturday over 1100 metres.
Shiki stamped herself as a filly of real talent when winning on debut in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes back in October, before disappointing slightly when running fourth at Randwick behind the very talented Warwoven (Sword Of State) resuming on December 20.
Shiki as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Shiki is the fourth foal from the three-race winner Jest Excel (Exceed And Excel), she is a half-sister to G2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Jiang (Testa Rossa) and Listed Elwick Stakes-placed Rock Jester (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Following Shiki, Jest Excel has a yearling filly by Ole Kirk, and foaled an Artorius filly in November.
Shiki was sold by Cornerstone Stud at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $150,000 to Riverstone Lodge and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Shiki was a good pinhook when onsold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Riverstone Lodge to Kurrinda Bloodstock along with her trainers for $420,000.
Wyong, Race 1, 11.05am AEDT, Mercure Kooindah Waters 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1200m
Gold Globe, 2-year-old gelding (Farnan x Rubaiya {Rubick})
The David Payne-trained Gold Globe (Farnan) makes his debut at Wyong on Saturday in the hands of jockey Chad Schofield. He has looked handy at the trials placing in two Rosehill trials over the last month.
Gold Globe is the first foal out of Rubaiya (Rubick), who was a winner over 1200 metres and is a half-sister to the Listed Hannan's Handicap winner Royal Rada (Haradasun).
Gold Globe as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He comes from the extended family of the G1 Adelaide Cup winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}), and the Listed winner Impetuous (Fastnet Rock).
Rubaiya, in recent times has left a Hellbent filly foal, and she was served by Artorius last spring.
Gold Globe was passed in short of his $100,000 reserve at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Both Mediterra (Snitzel) and Extraglow (Extreme Choice) placed in race 2 at Gosford, a winning turn looks close for both of these fillies.
