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 promising 3-year-olds by Exceed And Excel and So You Think (NZ) take their place across Australia on Wednesday.
Gosford, Race 1, 1.50pm AEDT, Ignite HR & Employment Law 2&3YO Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1000m
Woodrow, 3-year-old gelding (Exceed And Excel x Miss Wilson {Stratum})
The Kris Lees-trained Woodrow (Exceed And Excel) resumes on Wednesday at Gosford for his owners Kia Ora Stud and Encompass Bloodstock.
He showed enough in his first preparation which included running third behind Sixties (Flying Artie) on debut, and then a solid enough fourth at Gosford back in August. He has prepared for this resuming run with two trials at Newcastle and Gosford.
Woodrow is out of the very smart mare Miss Wilson (Stratum) who was a seven-time winner, her best wins were in the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, G3 Kelt Memorial Handicap and the G3 Cuddle Stakes.
Woodrow as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is also well-related being a half-sister to the New Zealand Horse of the Year and five-time Group 1 winner and stallion in Jimmy Choux (NZ). This is also the family of the extremely exciting New Zealand 3-year-old filly Ohope Wins (NZ) (Thorn Park), who has won two Group 2 races over 2000 metres and is the favourite for races such as the G1 New Zealand Oaks and the G1 New Zealand Derby in the coming months.
Miss Wilson, in recent years has left a 2-year-old colt by Farnan, a yearling filly by Ole Kirk, a colt foal by Ole Kirk, and was served again by Ole Kirk last spring.
Miss Wilson was purchased by Riversley Park for $225,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 5, 4.10pm AEDT, Viridian Advisory Class 1 Handicap, $42,000, 1600m
Castagnola, 3-year-old gelding (So You Think (NZ) x Lesley’s Choice {Exceed And Excel})
The Bjorn Baker-trained Castagnola (So You Think {NZ}) attempts to take his record to two wins from three starts at Gosford on Wednesday.
He was an impressive winner on the Kensington at his last start on January 21 and he looks a great chance to go back-to-back over the mile distance in the hands of Joshua Parr.
Castagnola as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Castagnola is the sixth foal to race and the sixth winner for the six-time winning Exceed And Excel mare Lesley’s Choice, who has also produced the Group 3 winner Jal Lei (Sebring). Since Castagnola, Lesley’s Choice has left a yearling colt by Zoustar, a filly foal by Harry Angel (Ire), and was served by Anamoe last spring.
Castagnola was purchased by Curran Bloodstock for $180,000 from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Waverley Road (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Ran a very good second at Wyong, there was a protest against the winner but it was dismissed.
Gold Coast Belle (So You Think {NZ}) - Was scratched from her race at Kyneton, she will keep for another day.
