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 runners by The Autumn Sun and Capitalist chase success across Australia on Friday.
Bet365 Park Kyneton, Race 1, 1.10pm AEDT, Hygain Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1862m
Butterscotch, 4-year-old mare (The Autumn Sun x Bagalollies {Zabeel {NZ}})
The beautifully-bred Butterscotch (The Autumn Sun) looks very hard to beat at Kyneton on Friday afternoon. She has run three very good races in her career so far, including a close-up second behind Mr Independent (Doubland) at her last start.
Her dam Bagalollies (Zabeel {NZ}) was a dual winner in New Zealand over staying trips, but it has been as a broodmare where she has become a star.
Butterscotch as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
She has left three stakes winners, including the three-time Group 1 winner and Hong Kong Champion Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), and the G3 New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Bagalollies, since producing Butterscotch, has left a 3-year-old gelding named Lollie’s Galore (The Autumn Sun), before she was retired from stud.
Butterscotch was originally purchased for $750,000 by Golden River Investments from the 2023 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, before she was purchased by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd for $650,000 from the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Southside Cranbourne, Race 1, 6.15pm AEDT, The Valley @ Southside Cranbourne B64 3YO Fillies Handicap, $60,000, 1000m
Headbanger, 3-year-old filly (Capitalist x Sistonic {Bel Esprit})
The promising Headbanger (Capitalist) looks hard to beat at Cranbourne on Friday night for trainer Grahame Begg in 3-year-old Handicap company.
She brings very strong form to this race, was a dominant eight length winner two starts ago, and ran a solid enough fifth in stronger company at Flemington at her last start. She looks very well-placed at a track and distance where she has won at before.
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
Her dam Sistonic (Bel Esprit) was a dual winner, and has an exceptional pedigree being a three-quarter-sister to the Champion unbeaten mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
She also has proven herself as a broodmare leaving three winners including the stakes-winner Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}), while other illustrious members of the family include the Group 1 winners All Too Hard, Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}), and Ole Kirk.
Sistonic, in recent years, has left a yearling colt by Blue Point (Ire) and was served by Schwarz last spring.
Looking Back:
Privateer (Snitzel) - Was disappointing running sixth at Pakenham.
Cavalry (Brutal {NZ}) - Ran a solid second after getting well out of his ground at Pakenham.
