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 promising types by Savabeel, Zoustar and Extreme Choice are chasing success across Australia on Wednesday afternoon.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 3, 4.50pm, AEDT, Sportsbet Feed BM64 3YO Handicap, $55,000, 1500m
Muskito, 3-year-old gelding (Savabeel x Exaltation (NZ) {Not A Single Doubt})
The beautifully-bred Muskito (Savabeel) looks to progress his record to two wins from two starts at Sandown on Wednesday for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. He was a dominant winner at Ararat on debut over 1300 metres, and the step up in distance looks ideal.
Muskito is the first foal out of Exaltation (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), who was a versatile five-time winner in New Zealand from 1200 metres up to 2000 metres.
Muskito as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Exaltation is a half-sister to the New Zealand Champion mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who was a 19-time winner, including at Group 1 level 14 times. Another family member is this season's G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}).
Exaltation, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old filly by Zoustar named Emoji Queen, a yearling filly by Anamoe that sells as Lot 299 at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale as part of the Widden Stud draft, a Zoustar filly foal, and unfortunately missed to I Am Invincible last spring.
Muskito was purchased for $160,000 by Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Widden Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 1, 2.20pm AEDT, Drinkwise F&M Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1200m
In A Tizzy, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Missy Cummings {Magnus})
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Zoustar filly, In A Tizzy will make her debut at Rosehill on Wednesday over 1200 metres.
This well-bred filly is out of Missy Cummings (Magnus) who was a Listed winner, but has gone on to excel as a broodmare leaving three winners, including the G1 Canterbury Stakes winner Mizzy (Zoustar) and the Group 3 and Listed winner She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar).
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
In A Tizzy’s grandam Lady Knockout (Serheed {USA}) and great-grandam Prime Again (Marooned {GB}) were also stakes winners.
Missy Cummings, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old gelding named Piazza (So You Think {NZ}), and has kept the successful Zoustar cross going by producig a filly foal by Ozzmosis, and was served by Growing Empire last spring, with both of those young stallions being sons of the reigning Australian Champion sire in Zoustar.
In A Tizzy was withdrawn from the 2024 William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 3, 3.30pm AEDT, Asahi Super Dry Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1500m
Decalogue, 3-year-old gelding (Extreme Choice x Commandment {Commands})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Decalogue (Extreme Choice) resumes at Rosehill on Wednesday and he looks a good chance going off his first preparation form and his encouraging trials this preparation, including a nice win over 1000 metres at Newcastle earlier this month.
The China Horse Club-bred gelding is the fifth foal out of Commandment (Commands), she is very well-related being a half-sister to the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder (Thunder Gulch {USA}) and the Listed winning juvenile Sufficient (NZ) (Savabeel).
Decalogue as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the family of the G1 Australian Derby winner and ill-fated sire Levendi.
Since producing Decalogue, Commandment had left a 2-year-old filly named Oculus (Wild Ruler), a filly foal by Signore Fox, and was served again by Signore Fox last spring.
Decalogue was originally purchased by Woburn Farm and Cannon Hayes for $240,000 from the 2023 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. He was then purchased by PR Thoroughbreds for $500,000 through the Cannon Hayes Stud, draft (As agent for Woburn Farm) at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Crusader Voyage (Camelot {GB}) - Ran an honest enough third at Kembla Grange resuming.
Andarna (Farnan) - Disappointed running last on debut at Kembla Grange.
