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 I Am Invincible 3-year-olds go head-to-head at Pakenham, while a Fierce Impact (Jpn) 3-year-old filly chases maiden success at Wyong.
Southside Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Betavet Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1400m
Federalist, 3-year-old gelding (I Am Invincible x Arcadia Queen {Pierro})
The Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Federalist (I Am Invincible) will make his resuming run over 1400 metres at Pakenham on Thursday evening. He has yet to place in all six of his career starts, but that doesn’t tell the full story, as he has raced nearly exclusively in black-type company where he has always run with merit.
Federalist as a yearling | Image courtesy for Magic Millions
The very well-bred gelding is the first foal from the Pierro mare Arcadia Queen, who was a three-time Group 1 winner on the track and comes from an outstanding family with Group winners featuring close-up such as Arcadia Dream (Donesday), Arcadia Prince (Pierro), Action (Pierro), Broadway Belle (Redoute’s Choice), Regal Power (Pierro), and Antique Miss (Domesday).
Arcadia Queen was sold at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale fetching $3.2 million to the bid of the Arrowfield Stud. Since producing Federalist, she has produced an I Am Invincible 2-year-old colt named I Am Dynasty, a colt foal by Dundeel (NZ), and she was served by Too Darn Hot (GB) last spring.
Federalist was a $1 million purchase by Hawkes Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Betavet Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1400m
Irreverent, 3-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Flippant {Hinchinbrook})
The beautifully-bred Irreverent (I Am Invincible) looks a great chance at Pakenham on Thursday night for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
She brings rock solid form to this event having placed in four of her five starts, including a very good second at Pakenham behind The Benchmark (Frosted {USA}) at her last start.
Irreverent is out of the classy Flippant (Hinchinbrook) who was a winner at Group 3 level, and Listed level three times. Flippant is also a three-quarter-sister to the seven-time winner I Am Excited (Snitzel), her career highlight was winning the G1 Galaxy Handicap.
Irreverent as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the Group 1 winners Atlantic Jewel (Danehill {USA}), Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and Commanding Jewel (Commands).
Flippant, in recent times, has left a yearling colt by I Am Invincible, a filly foal by Hellbent, and was served most recently by Hellbent again last November.
Irreverent was purchased by the TFI, Kia Ora Joint Venture for $750,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale .
Wyong, Race 1, 1.35pm AEDT, API Engineering Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1600m
Mountain Queen, 3-year-old filly (Fierce Impact (Jpn) x Hands Off {Trusting})
Mountain Queen, a daughter of Lovatsville’s young stallion Fierce Impact (Jpn), chases maiden success at career start number five at Wyong for Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith.
She has ran two solid placings in her career so far, and should have improved off her resuming second placing at Nowra behind Bellarata (Pierata), with the step up to a mile in this race looking ideal.
Fierce Impact (Jpn) | Standing at Lovatsville
Mountain Queen is the second foal from Hands Off (Trusting), who was a winner at 1600 metres, and has already left a winner with her first foal in Can’t Touch This (Flying Artie). The family is a bit quiet in black type close-up but further back features the classy stallion General Nediym.
Hands Off since producing Mountain Queen, has left a yearling colt by Fierce Impact, a filly foal also by the son of Deep Impact (Jpn) and was served again by him last spring.
Looking Back:
Muskito (Savabeel) - Disappointed running last at Sandown.
In A Tizzy (Zoustar) - Ran an honest enough third on debut at Rosehill, she should improve off that effort.
Decalogue (Extreme Choice) - Disappointed slightly running a battling fifth at Rosehill.
