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 runners by Zoustar and Doubtland chase maiden success at Ballarat on Sunday.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 1.15pm AEDT, Vale Jim Wells 2YO Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1100m
Starlume, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Lady Lupino {Sebring})
The Matt Laurie-trained Starlume (Zoustar) will make his debut at Ballarat on Sunday. He has looked handy at the jump-outs and trials and looks to have a good chance from a midfield gate.
Starlume is by Australia's current Champion stallion in Zoustar, and is out of the Sebring mare Lady Lupino, she was a very smart 2-year-old winning two races but also being placed in the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes, and the G1 Champagne Stakes.
Starlume as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Lady Lupino is also a full sister to the Listed Gold Rush Handicap victor in Embracer (Sebring) and a half-sister to the Champion Australian 3yo Colt and sire in Star Witness and the G3 San Domenico Stakes winner and sire Nostradamus.
Other successful stakes performers in the family include Vulpine (Snitzel), Leone Chiara (Lion Hunter), Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter), Ferocity (Lion Hunter), Pohutakawa (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Chiaramonte (Redoute’’s Choice).
Since producing Starlume, Lady Lupino has left a yearling colt by Farnan, a filly foal by Anamoe, and missed to Ole Kirk last spring.
Starlume was purchased by Lucky Owners Limited for $1.150,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 2, 1.55pm AEDT, Hertz 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Singles Moment, 3-year-old gelding (Doubtland x Naughty Moments {Dr Green {NZ}})
The Tom Dabernig-trained Singles Moment (Doubtland) chases maiden success at start number three at Ballarat on Sunday afternoon.
He has ran two good races in his career so far, including a very good second at Kyneton, where he attacked the line very strongly behind Vinnie’s Turn (Star Turn).
Doubtland | Standing at Widden
Singles Moment is out of the three-time winner Naughty Moments (Dr Green {NZ}), who has left four winners at stud and also has a strong page. She is a half-sister to the Dual Group 3 winner and Listed winner Autumn Jeuney (Jeune {GB}), and the five-time winner and Listed placed Mr Orient (Orientate {USA}).
This is also the family of the 11-time winner Little Brown Horse (Waterford Road), who was successful at Listed level in Brisbane.
Naughty Moments, in recent times, has left a yearling filly by Dirty Work, a filly foal by King Colorado, and was left empty last spring.
Looking Back:
Unit Five (Supido) - Didn’t have a lot of luck running 10th in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Confederation (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Disappointed at Rosehill running eighth.
Hidrix (Extreme Choice) - Ran a very tidy third, he is on track for the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
