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 runners by Pierro, Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and Capitalist chase success across Australia on Thursday.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 5, 7.45pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Future Stars Series Heat 4, $65,000, 1400m
Nostro Roccia, 3-year-old gelding (Pierro x Batemans Bay {Exceed And Excel})
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Nostro Roccia (Pierro) makes his fourth start at Cranbourne on Thursday night. The son of Pierro ran two honest races in his first campaign finishing fourth both times, and ran well for third resuming at Terang earlier this month behind Triple Salute (Justify {USA}).
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 colt foal 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.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, Kembla Classic Race Day March 13th Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1600m
Vega Sicilia, 3-year-old gelding (Satono Aladdin (Jpn) x Nancy Spain (NZ) {Charm Spirit {Ire}})
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Vega Sicilia (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) chases maiden success at Kembla Grange on Thursday over 1600 metres,
He was very disappointing running last at Nowra on debut last month, but could be at good value in this race if you are willing to forgive that run.
Vega Sicilia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The 3-year-old gelding is out of Nancy Spain (NZ) (Charm Spirit {NZ}), who was a winner over 1100 metres. His grandam Lucia Bella (Fastnet Rock) was a winner over 1200 metres, and is very well-related being a full sister to the G1 Goodwood Handicap winner Lone Rock (Fastnet Rock).
Nancy Spain, in recent years has left a Tagaloa yearling filly, foaled an In The Congo colt in October, and was subsequently served by Artorius in November..
Vega Sicilia was purchased by Richard and Will Freedman Stables from the Blue Gum Farm draft for $60,000 from the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 3, 3pm AEDT, Carlton Dry 3.5% Benchmark 64 Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Nazwah, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x Najoom {Northern Meteor})
The Peter Snowden-trained Nazwah (Capitalist) resumes at Kembla Grange on Thursday. She made quite an impact winning on debut impressively at Gosford last July, and after disappointing at Randwick later that month, was put away and resumes here.
Nazwah is the fifth live foal, and fifth winner from Najoom (Northern Meteor), a five-time winner including the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas and G3 Fred Best Classic. Najoom has already produced the Group 1 winning filly Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) and dual Listed winner Najmaty (I Am Invincible).
Nazwah as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Nazwah might be remembered as the one that got away for potential buyers, not just once, but twice. She was passed in at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, failing to meet her $300,000 reserve, and again at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale where she was offered as an unraced 2-year-old and passed in at $560,000 narrowly short of her $600,000 reserve.
Last year at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Emirates Park sold an I Am Invincible filly out of Najoom for $425,000 to the combination of Snowden, Trilogy Racing, and Suman Hedge Bloodstock.
Najoom foaled a Tassort filly in September, and was subsequently served by Home Affairs.
Looking Back
Arlington Row (Kingman {GB}) - Ran a lovely second on debut at Sandown.
Crocodile (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) - Was an impressive winner resuming at Sandown. He looks like he could be a progressive gelding for the Hayes team.
Kokatahi (NZ) (Farnan) - Ran a solid second on the Kensington, he is getting close to a maiden victory.
