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.
Three runners by Extreme Choice, Trapeze Artist and Farnan chase success across Australia on Saturday.
Royal Randwick, Race 4, 2.15pm AEDT, G3 Darley Todman Stakes, $300,000, 1200m
Paradoxium, 2-year-old colt (Extreme Choice x Paredo {Better Than Ready})
The Bjorn Baker-trained Extreme Choice colt Paradoxium lines up for his third start in the G3 Todman Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. He ran a solid fourth on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate behind Incognito (Stay Inside), and then won the R. Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic last year.
Unfortunately when travelling north for the Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival he had a case of travel sickness, so had to have some time off. But he looked none the worse, when winning a trial impressively at Rosehill on February 23.
Paradoxium as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Paradoxium is the first foal from the Listed-placed Paredo (Better Than Ready), a half-sister to stakes performer Snipzu (Snippetson), dam of Don Corleone, and Happy Pilgrim (Congrats {USA}), dam of G1 Galaxy Handicap winner Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}).
She has also left a Zoustar yearling filly, and she delivered a filly by I Am Invincible last spring, before subsequently being served by Zoustar.
Bjorn Baker Racing, Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA), and Ridgmont secured Paradoxium for $400,000 from Silverdale Farm’s Magic Millions draft. Silverdale Farm had paid $475,000 for his dam Paredo with the colt in utero at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Eagle Farm, Race 1, 1.13pm AEDT (12.13pm local), Sky Racing QTIS 2YO Handicap, $85,000, 1300m
Martist, 2-year-old colt (Trapeze Artist x Marishiten {Astern})
The exciting Trapeze Artist 2-year-old colt Martist hunts his second win at Eagle Farm on Saturday for trainer Tony Gollan. He was an impressive winner at Doomben on debut late last month and looks a great chance to go back-to-back.
Martist is the first foal out of the unplaced Astern mare Marishiten. She is well-related being a half-sister to the Listed winner and Group 1-placed sire Sebring Sun.
Martist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the Group 1 winning globetrotter War Artist (Orpen {USA}), who won races in France, Germany, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
Marishiten, in recent times, has unfortunately not produced a live foal since, but was served by Hellbent last Spring.
Martist was purchased by Shane Crawford and Kara Waters for $110,000 from the Lucas Bloodstock draft at Book 2 of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Eagle Farm, Race 7, 4.47pm AEDT (3.47pm local), Magic Millions March Yearling Sale QTIS 3YO Handicap, $85,000, 1600m
Kokatahi (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Farnan x Diva Von Tessa {Testa Rossa})
The well-bred Kokatahi (NZ) (Farnan) chases success at Eagle Farm on Saturday for trainer-Chris Waller.
He finally gained deserved maiden success at Hawkesbury at his last start, but he looks the kind of galloper that when the penny drops he will step through the grades.
Kokatahi (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Kokatahi is the sixth live-foal out of Diva Von Tessa (Testa Rossa) who was a winner over 1200 metres. She has left four winners so far as a broodmare.
Further back in the family are the outstanding Group One winners All Too Hard, Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Magnus, Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}), and Ole Kirk.
Diva Von Tessa since leaving Kokatahi, has produced a yearling filly by Ocean Park (NZ), her filly foal by The Chosen One (NZ) sadly died after birth, and he has since been served by Home Affairs.
Kokatahi was purchased by Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale for NZ$425,000 from the Milan Park draft.
Looking Back:
Fully Funded (Snitzel) - Disappointing when fading back to sixth.
Castelli In Aria (NZ) (Castelvecchio) - Ran well in early stages but outclassed to finish ninth.
