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 well-bred 2-year-old fillies by Snitzel go head-to-head at Warwick Farm, while a promising Exceed And Excel gelding chases maiden success at Doomben.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, Myplates 2YO Fillies Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1000m
Aryaam, 2-year-old filly (Snitzel x Super Cash {Written Tycoon})
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Aryaam (Snitzel) makes her debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon, on the back of two very impressive trial wins at Randwick over the last month.
Aryaam is beautifully-bred being out of the three-time Group 2-winning sprinter Super Cash (Written Tycoon), who was also twice placed at Group 1 level.
Aryaam as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Cash (Snitzel) has been her only foal to race, and he has been a dual-winner, including at metropolitan level in Melbourne and in South Australia.
Since producing Aryaam, Super Cash has produced a yearling colt by Dundeel (NZ) that will be offered by Arrowfield Stud at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she foaled a Dundeel colt last November.
Aryaam was purchased by Emirates Park, A & S Freedman and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) for $1.2 million from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.45pm AEDT, Myplates 2YO Fillies Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1000m
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 1000 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 Kerrin McEvoy.
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.
Leonessa as yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
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.
Doomben, Race 3, 3.48pm AEDT (2.48pm local), Sky Racing Maiden Handicap, $40,000, 1110m
Woodrow, 3-year-old gelding (Exceed And Excel x Miss Wilson {Stratum})
The Kris Lees-trained Woodrow (Exceed And Excel) lines up at Doomben on Wednesday for his owners Kia Ora Stud and Encompass Bloodstock. He showed enough in his first preparation which included running third behind Sixties (Flying Artie) on debut, and then a solid enough fourth at Gosford back in August. He then resumed with a fourth placing at Gosford early last month behind the classy Scintillation (I Am Invincible).
Woodrow is out of the very smart mare Miss Wilson (Stratum), who was a seven-time winner, her best wins were in the G1 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, G3 Kelt Memorial Handicap and the G3 Cuddle Stakes.
Woodrow as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She is also well-related being a half-sister to the New Zealand Horse of the Year and five-time Group 1 winner and stallion in Jimmy Choux (NZ). This is also the family of the extremely exciting New Zealand 3-year-old Ohope Wins (NZ) (Thorn Park) who won the G1 New Zealand Oaks and is now in training with Chris Waller.
Miss Wilson, in recent years has left a 2-year-old colt by Farnan, a yearling filly by Ole Kirk, a colt foal by Ole Kirk, and was served again by Ole Kirk last spring.
Woodrow was purchased by Riversley Park for $225,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Harry Met Sally (Yes Yes Yes) - Was a solid winner at Ballarat, he put in a strong run down the outside to score with a touch in hand.
Go Commando (NZ) (Savabeel) - Disappointed running sixth at Goulburn.
