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 runners by Admire Mars (Jpn) and Pierro chase maiden success at Wangaratta on Sunday.
Sportsbet-Wangaratta, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, Vital Signs Wangaratta Maiden Plate, $42,500, 2000m
Admire Fluke, 3-year-old gelding (Admire Mars (Jpn) x Northern Model {Northern Meteor})
The Matt Laurie-trained Admire Fluke (Admire Mars {Jpn}) looks very hard to beat at Wangaratta on Sunday over 2000 metres. The promising gelding has placed in his only two starts, and looks a potential handy stayer.
Admire Fluke is out of Northern Model (Northern Meteor), she was a two-time winning sprinter and ran fourth in the Listed William Crockett Stakes.
Admire Fluke as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She has already left two winners, including Noisy Boy (Real Steel {Jpn}) who has been Group placed in both Australia and Hong Kong.
Admire Fluke comes from the extended family of the dual Group 2 winner Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}), the young sire Kiss And Make Up, and the star filly Fashions Affield (Redoute’s Choice), who was successful at Group 1 level as a 2-year-old and as a 3-year-old.
Northern Model, in recent years has left a yearling filly by Astern, a foal colt by In The Congo, and was served by Starlust (GB) last spring.
Admire Fluke was purchased by Hong Kong Bloodstock for $40,000 from the Riverstone Lodge draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Sportsbet-Wangaratta, Race 2,2.10pm AEDT, Drummond Golf Albury Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1400m
Nostro Roccia, 3-year-old gelding (Pierro x Batemans Bay {Exceed And Excel})
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Nostro Roccia (Pierro) is second-up as a gelding at Wangaratta on Sunday. The son of Pierro ran two honest races in his first campaign finishing fourth both times, and resumed with a solid third at Terang earlier this month.
Nostro Roccia is the first foal out of the unraced Exceed And Excel mare Batemans Bay. She comes from a strong family with the stakes winners Marianne (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Yaletown (Vancouver), and Prairie Flower (Star Turn) featuring.
Nostro Roccia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Batemans Bay, in recent times has produced a 2-year-old named Malua Bay (Pierro), a yearling filly by Home Affairs, a foal colt by Spirit Of Boom, and was served again by Spirit Of Boom last spring,
Fernrigg Farm originally purchased the gelding from the 2023 Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $40,000, before he was on-sold at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where Busuttin Racing paid $80,000 from the Fernrigg Farm draft.
Looking Back
Thyme To Go (I Am Invincible) -Disappointed running seventh at Rosehill.
Big Sky (Bivouac) - Won very nicely at Flemington, even though he was very green. He looks talented.
You're The Choice (Farnan) - was an impressive winner at Gosford.
