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 types by elite stallions Extreme Choice and Snitzel chase success across Australia on Thursday.
Southside Pakenham, Race 2, 5.45pm AEDT, ACW Facility Services Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1200m
Super Choice, 3-year-old gelding (Extreme Choice x Supersay {Rothesay})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Super Choice (Extreme Choice) looks a very good chance of breaking his maiden at Pakenham on Thursday night.
He ran a solid third on debut at Seymour last July, and after a good break has jumped-out strongly twice at Flemington and looks well-placed resuming over 1200 metres in the hands of Jett Stanley.
Super Choice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Super Choice is out of the juvenile winner Supersay (Rothesay), she is a half-sister to the G1 Victorian Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau) and comes from the extended family of the Listed winner My Destiny (Stratum).
Supersay, in recent times, has produced a 2-year-old filly named Pasatiempo (Extreme Choice), a weanling filly by King’s Gambit and was served last season by Lofty Strike.
Super Choice was purchased for $400,000 by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and Dermot Farrington from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 7, 4.55pm AEDT, Vale Albert Stapleford B64 Handicap, $42,000, 1000m
Fine Wine, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Upgrading {Encosta De Lago})
Gosford is the venue for Fine Wine (Snitzel) to chase her third win from only her sixth start for Warwick Farm trainer-Gary Portelli on Thursday.
She was a lovely maiden winner on the same track and over the same distance back in November, and after a little break, she resumed with a win at Kembla Grange on March 21 over that same short course distance.
Fine Wine as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Fine Wine is the eighth foal out of Upgrading (Encosta De Lago), and she has left six winners including Improvement (Swiss Ace) who was a five-time winner and stakes placed up to 1400 metres.
In recent times Upgrading has left a 2-year-old filly by Russian Revolution, and a yearling colt by All Too Hard and was served by Exceedance last season.
Fine Wine was purchased for $260,000 by Portelli Racing from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Lafite (Zoustar) - Was scratched from his race at Warwick Farm.
Velocite Belle (Home Affairs) - Was solid enough running fourth on debut at Geelong.
Woodrow (Exceed And Excel) - Just went down running a narrow second at Doomben.
