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 Wednesday, provincial racing turns to Warwick Farm, where lofty pedigrees will be trying to strike in the juveniles events.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 12:50pm AEDT, Kia Ora Bloodlines To Headlines Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
St Gotthard, 2-year-old colt (Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior (Can) {Blame {USA}})
The connections of St Gotthard (Snitzel) have not doubt been eager to get the full brother to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes-winning stallion Switzerland to his debut, and that occasion takes place in the opener at Warwick Farm. The colt jumps alongside four Chris Waller stablemates in a field of eight after a strong second in his most recent trial, and gets the services of James McDonald.
St Gotthard is the third foal out of multiple stakes winner Ms Bad Behavior (Can) (Blame {USA}), whose four yearlings through the ring have brought in over $6 million in total. Her other foal to race, Decorum (Snitzel), has won three of his starts to date.
St Gotthard as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Ms Bad Behavior is one of three stakes winners out of dual Listed winner Cumulonimble (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}), and delivered a fifth colt by Snitzel in 2025 before visiting The Autumn Sun.
St Gotthard has been his dam's most expensive yearling to date, costing $2.7 million to the bid of Tom Magnier when offered by Arrowfield Stud at last year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. His full brother sold to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Tony Fung Colts, and Tom Magnier at this year's Easter sale for $2 million.
Warwick Farm, Race 1, 12:50pm AEDT, Kia Ora Bloodlines To Headlines Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Whitehall, 2-year-old colt, (I Am Invincible x Covent Garden {Exceed And Excel})
Debuting alongside St Gotthard is another large purchase for Tom Magnier in Whitehall (I Am Invincible), who has Nash Rawiller on board for his first raceday outing. The colt has run second in all three of his trials, including once to Barracks (Home Affairs) who debuted at Hawkesbury on Tuesday for a strong second.
In a bizarre twist, both Whitehall and St Gotthard ran second in their most recent trials to the same horse - Exceedance colt Wild Atlantic, who has gone for a spell after remaining unbeaten at the trials.
Whitehall as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Whitehall is the first live foal out of Covent Garden (Exceed And Excel), a winning half-sister to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), out of the grand producer and performer Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar). Covent Garden's Too Darn Hot (GB) yearling colt Cape Fear was withdrawn from Inglis Easter this year, and she went back to Too Darn Hot in 2025.
Tom Magnier paid $1.8 million to purchase Whitehall at last year's Easter sale from Segenhoe Stud.
Warwick Farm, Race 2, 1:25pm AEDT, Hyland Race Colours Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Capital Illusion, 2-year-old filly (Capitalist x Heat Haze {Fastnet Rock})
After a big trial win earlier in the month, Capital Illusion (Capitalist) will head to the races on Wednesday for Michael Freedman. The 2-year-old filly put a two and a half-length margin on her rivals in her trial, and will be ridden by Tommy Berry who stays in the saddle post-trial.
Capital Illusion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Capital Illusion is aiming to be the fourth winner from four to the track for Heat Haze (Fastnet Rock), a winning granddaughter of Explosive (USA) (Fappiano {USA}). Explosive is best known for also being the dam of Northern Meteor and Queen Of The Hill (Danehill {USA}). The family also features boom 2-year-old Tornado Valley (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and G1 Tattersall's Tiara winner Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}).
Since producing Capital Illusion, Heat Haze has produced a colt by Artorius and a filly by King's Gambit. She revisited the latter stallion in 2025.
Capital Illusion was a $45,000 purchase from Newgate Farm's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for Hunter Valley Bloodstock.
Looking Back:
Barracks (Home Affairs) - Loomed as the winner but just caught by Portland Miss (Portland Sky) to run second.
Air Of Solace (I Am Invincible) - disappointed in seventh.
Royal Botanic (Ole Kirk) - Didn't quite get into the race, finished fourth by a fair margin.
