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.
Promising types by Snitzel and Castelvecchio chase maiden success at Kilmore and Pakenham on Friday.
Bet365 Park Kilmore, Race 3, 3pm AEDT, The Arilla Retirement Village Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1450m
Fully Funded, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Bright Path (Jpn) {Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}})
The Mark Walker-trained Fully Funded (Snitzel) makes her second start at Kilmore on Friday, after making a promising debut when running second at Kyneton early last month behind Succaforyou (Hanseatic).
The well-bred filly is the first foal of Bright Path (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who was a two-time winner at 1400 metres in Japan.
Fully Funded as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She comes from a strong Japanese family which includes the Champion Group 1 winning mare Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the dual Group-1 winner in Great Britain and Japan in Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), and the Group 1 winner Panja Tower (Jpn) (Tower Of London {Jpn}).
Bright Path, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly named Umoyawokubambelela (The Autumn Sun) who is now in South Africa, a colt foal by Admire Mars (Jpn) and was served last spring by The Autumn Sun.
Fully Funded was purchased by D C Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) for $150,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Southside Pakenham, Race 2, 6.45pm AEDT, The Valley @ Southside Pakenham Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1200m
Castelli In Aria (NZ), 4-year-old mare (Castelvecchio x Believer (GB) {Lawman {Fr}})
The promising Castelli In Aria (NZ) (Castelvecchio) is set to chase maiden success at Pakenham on Friday for trainer Enver Jusufovic.
The daughter of Castelvecchio has run three solid placings in her career so far, and after a break and a couple of jump-outs looks a great each-way chance resuming.
Castelli In Aria (NZ) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Castelli In Aria is the fourth foal out of Believer (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), she was placed in France and Australia on the track. She hails from a strong international family with Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) being a Group 3 and Listed winner who also placed in both the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in France, as well as last season's talented juvenile Buccleuch (Peltzer) who picked three wins including one at Listed level.
Since producing Castelli In Aria, Believer produced an Anders filly last December.
Castelli In Aria was purchased by Bourne Racing Stables for $105,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Talkin' Stern (Astern) - Ran an honest third at Pakenham, while Washington Lilac (Snitzel) was brave running fourth after setting the pace in the same race.
Irreverent (I Am Invincible) - Ran a good second at Pakenham, she is getting close to a win.
