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 juveniles by Snitzel and Frosted (USA) that are trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman make their debut on Saturday at Randwick and Newcastle. While a full-brother to Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) chases win number two at Newcastle.
Royal Randwick, Race 3, 6.15pm AEDT, Coolmore Pierro 2YO Plate, $160,000, 1100m
Avengers, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Dream State {Starcraft {NZ})
The well-bred Avengers (Sniztel) looks a good each-way chance at Randwick on debut on Saturday. He has looked handy at the trials, including winning his last one nicely at Canterbury for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Avengers as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Avengers is out of the placed Starcraft (NZ) mare Dream Date, who is very well-related being a half-sister to Not A Single Doubt, and from the family of other stallions Zizou and King’s Legacy.
Dream Date, in recent times has left a yearling colt by Dundeel (NZ), a filly foal by Maurice (Jpn), and was served by the previous stallion’s mentioned barnmate Castelvecchio last spring.
Avengers cost China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, and Kia Ora Stud a clean $1 million from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Prosperity Salary Packaging 2YO Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 900m
Jourama, 2-year-old gelding (Frosted (USA) x Spring Waterfall (Ire) {Exceed And Excel})
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Jourama (Frosted {USA}) makes his debut at Newcastle over 900 metres on Saturday.
He won nicely at the Randwick trails late last month, and naturally off that looks a very good chance in the hands of Keagan Latham.
Frosted (USA) | Image courtesy of Darley
Jourama is the fourth foal out of Spring Waterfall (Ire) (Exceed And Excel), she was a winner in France and is a half-sister to the Champion filly Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice), who Arrowfield Stud just announced today has sadly died at age of 22.
It is a very strong family, with another Group 1 winner featuring in Miss Finland’s daughter Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}).
In recent years, Spring Waterfall has produced an Earthlight (Ire) yearling filly, and was served by Victor Ludorum (GB) last spring.
Newcastle, Race 7, 4.45pm AEDT, Prosperity Advisers Group Class 1 Handicap, $42,000, 1600m
Strongside, 3-year-old gelding (Super Seth x Garden Of Swans {GB} {Oasis Dream {GB}})
The well-related Strongside (Super Seth) is set to make his fourth start at Newcastle over 1600 metres for Randwick trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
He won nicely in his first preparation, and while he was a touch disappointing resuming at Goulburn when running sixth in late January, it would be no surprise for him to be a quick-improver on Saturday.
Strongside is a son of Waikato Stud’s exciting sire Super Seth and is out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Garden Of Swans (GB). She was unraced on the track but was purchased by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) from the Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 160,000gns (AU$331,400) before making her way to New Zealand.
Strongside as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Strongside is a full brother to Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth), who has won the G1 Randwick Guineas on the track.
Strongside’s grandam is the Timber Country (USA) mare Magic Tree (UAE), she was successful at stud leaving the high-class G1 Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram (GB). He now stands at stud in Italy.
Garden Of Swans since producing Linebacker has a Dundeel (NZ) 2-year-old filly named People's Choice, and was due to foal to Super Seth last spring.
Strongside sold for $80,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to the bid of John O’Shea Racing and James bester Bloodstock from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds
Looking Back:
Headbanger (Capitalist) - Bolted in by eight lengths at Cranbourne. A very impressive win.
Irreverent (I Am Invincible) - Was scratched from her race, she instead ran on Thursday night where she ran second at Pakenham.
