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 exciting 2-year-olds by Exceed And Excel and Snitzel go head-to-head at Warwick Farm, while a promising Street Boss (USA) gelding looks a good chance on the Caulfield Heath.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT,All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud 2YO Handicap, $60,000, 1100m
Handloom, 2-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Handspun {Bernardini {USA}})
The Gary Portelli-trained and Godolphin-owned Handloom (Exceed And Excel) resumes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. She made her debut when she disappointed in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes last October, but after having a break, she has trialled twice. Including a very sharp win at Warwick Farm by just over four lengths, when defeating Barracks (Home Affairs), who placed on debut at Newcastle last weekend.
Exceed and Excel | Standing at Darley
Handloom is the second foal from the Bernardini (USA) mare Handspun. She was talented on the track winning five races and just over $300,000 in prize money.
Handloom's pedigree is a bit quiet in terms of close-up black type, but her third dam is In A Bound (Ashkalani {Ire}), who was a very talented mare winning five times including the G2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Handspun, since producing Handloom, has left a yearling colt by Bivouac, and foaled a Victor Ludorum (GB) colt last October, before being left empty last spring.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.25pm AEDT,All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud 2YO Handicap, $60,000, 1100m
Leonessa, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Miss Leonidas {I Am Invincible})
The Chris Waller-trained Leonessa (Snitzel) makes her debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday over 1100 metres.
She has looked promising at the trials, running second both times at Warwick Farm and Rosehill, and she looks a good each-way chance in the hands of Tommy Berry.
Leonessa as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Leonessa is the third foal out of the smart mare Miss Leonidas (I Am Invincible). She was a five-time winner and was successful in the G2 Caulfield Sprint Handicap and the Listed Bel Esprit Handicap. She was also classy enough to run second in the G1 Galaxy Handicap and the G1 AJ Moir Stakes.
This is also the extended family of the tough grey stayer Newport (Encosta De Lago), who was a nine-time winner and was successful in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap, G2 Brisbane Cup and the G3 Randwick City Stakes.
Unfortunately, Leonessa was Miss Leonidas last live-foal before she sadly died in November last year.
Leonessa was purchased by B2B Thoroughbreds for $725,000 from the Cressfield draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Caulfield Heath, Race 4, 4.50pm AEDT, Sportsbet Up & Coming Stars Series Heat 1, $100,000, 1200m
Melian, 3-year-old gelding (Street Boss (USA) x Palurien {Reset})
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained and Godolphin-owned Melian (Street Boss {USA}) chases his maiden win at start number two on the Heath on Wednesday over 1200 metres.
Street Boss | Standing at Darley
The promising gelding ran a solid second behind Arlington Row (Kingman {GB}) at Cranbourne early last month, and that form looks good as Arlington Row won impressively again at her next start also at Cranbourne when up in grade.
Melian is the first foal out of the dual winner and Listed-placed Palurien (Reset), she is also very well-related being a half-sister to the G1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari (Lonhro), the Listed winner and New Zealand stallion Telperion, and the Listed winning filly Silmarillion (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
Palurien, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly named Gwendeling (Street Boss {USA}), a yearling colt by Brazen Beau, and was sent to New Zealand last year to be served by Cambridge Stud’s Chaldean (GB).
Looking Back:
Button Up (Lucky Vega {Ire}) - Was a lovely winner on debut at Kembla Grange.
Borjnord (Tassort) - Was scratched from his race at Kembla Grange. He will keep for another day.
