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 make by Lucky Vega (Ire) and Tassort make their debut at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.
Kembla Grange, Race 2, 2.25pm AEDT, I98FM’s Feel Good Fun Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1000m
Button Up, 3-year-old gelding (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Loose Buttons {Zoustar})
The Matthew Smith-trained Button Up (Lucky Vega {Ire}) makes his debut over 1000 metres at Kembla Grange on Tuesday. He has shown some promise at the trials, including a tidy second behind Sourseane (Siyouni {Fr}) at Rosehill in early February over 900 metres.
Button Up is by the in-form Lucky Vega (Ire), the sire of the quality New Zealand 3-year-old That’s Gold, and is the first foal out of Loose Buttons (Zoustar) who was a winner over 1400 metres.
Button Up as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Button Up’s grandam Sunday Rose (Exceed And Excel) was a three-time winning sprinter and ran second in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes. She is also a half-sister to another two stakes-placed horses in Divine Moon (God's Own) and Moonboat (Encosta De Lago).
Loose Buttons, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly by Grunt (NZ), a filly foal by Alpine Edge, and was subsequently served by Alpine Edge again last spring.
Matthew Smith Racing and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased the gelding for $25,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Kembla Grange, Race 4, 3.40pm AEDT, Wests Devils: Your Reigning Premiers Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Borjnord, 3-year-old colt (Tassort x Ajaayeb {Snitzel})
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Borjnord (Tassort) looks a great chance on debut at Kembla Grange on Tuesday over 1200 metres. The well-bred colt by Tassort has had plenty of experience at the trials and has shown a good amount of natural ability.
Borjnord is the second foal out of the 1000-metre winner Ajaayeb (Snitzel). She comes from a very strong family being out of Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}). She was the winner of the R. Listed Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Classic and another four stakes races, including two at Group 3 level.
Borjnord as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
A couple of other Group winners within the pedigree include Zeitlos (USA) (Curlin {USA}) and Thyme For Roses (Redoute’s Choice).
Ajaayeb, in recent times, has produced a Satono Aladdin (Jpn) yearling colt, a Tassort colt foal, and was served by Harry Angel (Ire) last spring.
The colt was purchased by Richard and Will Freedman Stables for $380,000 from the Emirates Park draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Lagunanini (I Am Immortal) - Won very nicely on a wet track at Sale on debut, she dominated and led all the way. In the same race Autumn Lover (The Autumn Sun) ran a solid third.
Wetumpka (Alabama Express) - Won narrowly but in nice fashion at Sale. He looks up to better targets.
