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 promising 3-year-old fillies by Ghaiyyath (Ire) and Shamus Award chase maiden success on Sunday across both sides of the Tasman.
Matamata, Race 5, 1.27pm AEDT (3.27pm local), Gregory Equine F&M Maiden, NZ$18,500, 1400m
More Bliss, 3-year-old filly (Ghaiyyath (Ire) x Lady Amhurst {Exceed And Excel})
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained More Bliss (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) looks a big chance to break through for her maiden victory at Matamata on Sunday afternoon.
The promising 3-year-old filly by the in-form Ghaiyyath (Ire) filly ran two good races for third and fourth during her first preparation, and after a little break, she should be ready to go in the hands of jockey Joe Doyle.
More Bliss as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
More Bliss is out of the unraced Exceed And Excel mare Lady Amhurst, and More Bliss’s grandam is the G1 New Zealand Oaks, and G3 Wellington Cup winner Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel).
Lady Amhurst, since producing More Bliss, has left a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) 2-year-old colt named Sax Appeal (NZ), a yearling filly by Satono Aladdin (Jpn), and was served by Little Brose last spring.,
More Bliss was purchased by PJ Cunningham, LR Cunningham and JW Kiernan for NZ$80,000 from the Jamieson Park draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Rosemont Stud 3YO Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1435m
Set Me Free, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Unchain My Heart {Al Maher})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Set Me Free (Shamus Award) makes her debut at Geelong on Sunday afternoon over 1435m. She has had a fair bit of jump-out and trial experience, and will no doubt be well-educated for her debut.
Set Me Free is out of the very good staying mare Unchain My Heart (Al Maher), she was a 10-time winner, including the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes twice and the Listed Bagot Handicap.
Shamus Award | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Set Me Free’s grandam Fly By Night (Prince Of Birds {USA}) was also a handy middle-distance type, winning four times and running fourth in the G1 Australian Oaks as a 3-year-old filly.
Going by pedigree and the fact that she is by Shamus Award, there is every indication that Set Me Free will develop into a better filly over ground, but this race is a nice starting point.
Unchain My Heart, in recent times, has left a yearling filly by Nicconi, before she was retired from stud last year.
Looking Back:
On The Clock (Spirit Of Boom) - Ran second at Eagle Farm, he was run down in the last stride.
Rich On Bubbles (Capitalist) - Was an impressive winner at Caulfield, that was his third win in a row.
Bassett Babe (Wootton Bassett {GB}) - Ran a solid third at Caulfield, picking up some valuable black-type for connections.
