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.
All eyes are on Pakenham on Thursday, as Astern and Snitzel 3-year-olds go head-to-head, while on the same card a well-bred I Am Invincible filly looks hard to beat.
Southside Pakenham, Race 1, 5.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Big Bets Copy Now Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1600m
Talkin’ Stern, 3-year-old gelding (Astern x Linguist {Helmet})
The Gavin Bedggood-trained Talkin’ Stern (Astern) looks a great chance of claiming his maiden win at Pakenham on Thursday. He has run two great races in his career so far, including a brave second on the same track over 1400 metres on February 19 behind Light Moves (Zoustar).
The Astern gelding is the third foal out of the four-time winner Linguist (Helmet), Linguist herself is out of the smart mare Vocabulary (Encosta De Lago), she won the G2 Carlyon Stakes and the G3 Rose Of Kingston Stakes, as well as placing twice at Group 1 level.
Astern | Standing at Darley
Linguist, in recent years, has produced a 2-year-old colt by All Too Hard named Ciphered, and was due to foal to Sebring Sun last spring.
Talkin’ Stern was purchased for a modest $4000 by R Mcintosh via the 2023 Inglis Digital July Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 1, 5.15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Big Bets Copy Now Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1600m
Washington Lilac, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Zighy Bay (USA) {Tapit {USA}})
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Washington Lilac (Snitzel) chases her maiden win at Pakenham on Thursday over 1600 metres.
She ran two very good placings at Sandown and Kilmore during her first preparation, and since having a nice break, she has ran solid races for third and fourth respectively, so a win looks close.
Washington Lilac | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Washington Lilac is beautifully-bred. She is a three-quarter-sister to Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) who was the winner of the G1 South Australian Derby, G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes and the Listed Debutant Stakes. There is also an abundance of American and Japanese stakes-winners within the pedigree.
Her dam Zighy Bay (USA) (Tapit {USA}), in recent times has left a yearling filly by Snitzel, and was served by Switzerland last spring.
Washington Lilac was purchased by TFI for $625,000 from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 2, 5.45pm AEDT, Beraldo Coffee 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 | 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.
Looking Back:
Handloom (Exceed And Excel) - Disappointed at Warwick Farm running seventh.
Leonessa (Snitzel) - Was scratched from her race at Warwick Farm. She will keep for another day.
Melian (Street Boss {USA}) - Was an impressive winner on the Caulfield Heath.
