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 Farnan, Snitzel and Ardrossan chase success across Australia on Wednesday.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 2.20pm AEDT, Arrowfield Graduates Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1400m
Kokatahi (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Farnan x Diva Von Tessa {Testa Rossa})
The well-bred Kokatahi (NZ) (Farnan) is set to make his fifth career start on Wednesday at Warwick Farm for trainer-Chris Waller.
He has run four very good placings in his only four starts, and looks a great chance of breaking through for deserved maiden success.
Kokatahi is the sixth live-foal out of Diva Von Tessa (Testa Rossa) who was a winner over 1200 metres. She has left three winners so far as a broodmare.
Kokatahi (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Further back in the family are the outstanding Group One winners All Too Hard, Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Magnus, Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}), and Ole Kirk.
Diva Von Tessa since leaving Kokatahi, has produced a yearling filly by Ocean Park (NZ), her filly foal by The Chosen One (NZ) sadly died after birth, and she has since been served by Home Affairs.
Kokatahi was purchased by Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale for NZ$425,000 from the Milan Park draft.
Warwick Farm, Race 3, 3.30pm AEDT, Ranvet B68 3YO Handicap, $60,000, 1400m
Decorum, 3-year-old colt (Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior (Can) {Blame {USA}})
Decorum (Snitzel), the very exciting full brother to the outstanding Group 1 winner and now Coolmore Stud stallion in Switzerland, resumes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday for trainer Michael Freedman.
Decorum ran second on debut at Warwick Farm behind subsequent Group 1 winner Attica (Lonhro), in what has become an elite-form maiden last September, before winning his Newcastle maiden over 1400 metres in stylish fashion when defeating California Command (Deep Field).
He has since had a nice break and two trials at Randwick to prepare himself for this resuming assignment, where he looks hard to beat.
Decorum | Image courtesy of Inglis
Decorum’s dam Ms Bad Behaviour (Can) (Blame {USA}) was purchased for US$600,000 (AU$862,800) from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale by Freyer Bloodstock and was imported to Australia.
Decorum himself was purchased for $550,000 by TFI from the Arrowfield draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, while the current 2-year-old from the mare was bought by Tom Magnier for $2.7 million at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is named St Gotthard.
The mare also has a Snitzel yearling colt that sells at Easter this year, foaled another Snitzel colt last October, and was subsequently served by The Autumn Sun.
Eagle Farm, Race 3, 3.48pm AEDT (2.48pm local), XXXX Gold Maiden Handicap, $40,000, 1400m
Tam Na Ghar (NZ), 4-year-old mare (Ardrossan x Royal Queen (NZ) {His Royal Highness {NZ}})
The Jack Bruce-trained Tam Na Ghar (NZ) (Ardrossan) makes her second start at Eagle Farm on Wednesday, she was brave on debut, running a fast-finishing third at the Sunshine Coast on January 11 behind Better Not Slip (Better Than Ready).
Ardrossan | Standing at Waikato Stud
Tam Na Ghar’s dam Royal Queen (NZ) (His Royal Highness {NZ}) was a five-time winner up to 1400 metres in New Zealand, and she also ran fourth in the G3 Thompson Handicap.
The family is a bit quiet on the close-up black-type front, but Tam Na Ghar’s third dam was the Listed winner Zetoile (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}).
Unfortunately Tam Na Ghar was her dam’s last foal as she died back in 2022.
Looking Back:
Washington Lilac (Snitzel) - Ran a nice third at Seymour.
Privateer (Snitzel) - Ran a much improved race for second at Seymour.
Zayyano (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) - Ran an honest enough fourth at Seymour.
