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.
On Tuesday, the action is at Hawkesbury, where two well-bred colts and a regal filly look to start their careers with a bang.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1:25pm, AEDT, HRC Motel 2YO Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1000m
Barracks, 2-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Wild Rain {Manhattan Rain})
A son of leading first season sire Home Affairs, Barracks is readying to break his maiden at the second time of asking for Ciaron Maher. The 2-year-old colt was second on debut back in late February, beaten by Potomac River (Pride Of Dubai) who was subsequently fourth in the G2 Reisling Stakes. He has trialled once in the interim, winning easily by nearly two lengths at Warwick Farm, and gets the services of Tommy Berry for his second start.
Barracks is the sixth foal out of the smart sprinting mare Wild Rain (Manhattan Rain) who won the G2 Ian McEwen Stakes, the G3 Sir John Monash Stakes and two other Listed sprints. She has left four winners on the track including the five-time winner and Listed-placed Spring Lee (Zoustar).
Barracks as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Further back this is the family of the Champion galloper and nine-time Group 1 winner Northerly (Serheed {USA}), and the $12.4 million earner and dual G1 Winterbottom Stakes winner Overpass (Vancouver).
Wild Rain, in recent years, has left a yearling colt by Zoustar, and was served by Home Affairs again last spring.
Barracks was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $420,000 from the Cressfield draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hawkesbury, Race 1, 1:25pm, AEDT, HRC Motel 2YO Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1000m
Air Of Solace, 2-year-old colt (I Am Invincible x Odeum {Written Tycoon})
A blueblooded debutant for the Chris Waller stable, Air Of Solace (I Am Invincible) has had two trials ahead of his first start, most recently running second by a head to Fiaba (I Am Invincible) at the start of the month. He will jump from barrier one over the 1000 metres, carrying the colours of Go Bloodstock Australia.
Air Of Solace is the first foal out of G1 1000 Guineas winner Odeum (Written Tycoon), who also won the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes en route to a second placing in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes behind Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt). She also produced an electric turn of foot to almost catch Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes.
Air Of Solace as a yearling | Image courtesy Magic Millions
Odeum is a half-sister to the late Listed Brian Crowley Stakes-winning stallion Goodfella, from the family of G1 Lightning Stakes winner Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Since producing Air Of Solace, Odeum has foaled a yearling colt by I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Archibald Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) for $450,000 at the Gold Coast this year, and a colt in 2025 by Extreme Choice. She revisited the latter stallion in the spring.
Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock paid $750,000 for Air Of Solace from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the Gold Coast last year. Breeder Newton Thoroughbreds has remained in the colt’s ownership.
Hawkesbury, Race 2, 2:05pm AEDT, Hahn Super Dry Provincial Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1100m
Royal Botanic, 3-year-old filly (Ole Kirk x Amaryliss {Commands})
Royal Botanic (Ole Kirk) has been well educated by Kris Lees, having had five trials to date ahead of her raceday debut. She has really put things together, winning her fourth trial and finishing third by less than half a length in her most recent trial. Jason Collett takes the reins for her first start, and she jumps from barrier four.
Royal Botanic is the fourth foal out of winning Commands mare Amaryliss, who has produced two runners for two winners to date.
Royal Botanic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Amaryliss is a half-sister to Listed winner and terrific Queensland galloper Fifteen Rounds (I Am Invincible), out of five-time Listed winner Sugar Bay (Can) (Syncline {USA}). They hail from from a hardy family that includes G1 Queensland Derby runner-up Rodrico (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and multiple stakes winner Autumn Slew (USA) (Slew O’ Gold {USA}).
Amaryliss has not produced a foal since producing Royal Botanic, and missed last year to Sessions.
Royal Botanic was withdrawn from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2024 and retained to race by Vinery Stud and partners.
Looking Back
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Blue Meteor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) - scratched, will keep for another day.
Egyptian Thorn (Maurice {Jpn}) - a middling run to finish fourth at Swan Hill.
