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 Saturday, the action is trans-Tasman, with runners at Eagle Farm, Mornington, and Ellerslie bidding to break their maidens at metropolitan level.
Eagle Farm, Race 1, 11:38am AEDT, XXXX QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap, $85,000, 1400 metres
The Thorncaster, 2-year-old rig (Farnan x Rosa's Magic {Sebring})
Trained by Ciaron Maher, The Thorncaster (Farnan) debuted at Wyong over 1200 metres at the end of March for a fourth placing, while improving well from the rear of the field. The further furlong looks perfect for him to really wind up and hit his straps, and Ryan Maloney takes the reins for his Queensland test.
The Thorncaster as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Thorncaster is a son of Rosa's Magic (Sebring), a winning daughter of G3 Merson Cooper Stakes winner Rosa's Joy (Rory's Jester) and a half-sister to stakes winner and stakes producer Rosa's Spur (Flying Spur). Rosa's Spur has produced the dams and grandams of a number of stakes winners including dual Group 2 winner Pure Elation (I Am Invincible), Listed Twilight Glow Stakes winner Ruska Roma (Super Seth), and dual Group 3 winner Jennilala (Shalaa {Ire}).
Since producing The Thorncaster, Rosa's Magic has foaled a filly by In The Congo and visited Farnan again in 2025.
Bennett Racing purchased The Thorncaster for $160,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Bell River Thoroughbreds.
Mornington, Race 1, 11:50am AEDT, Asset Painting Services Mornington Sires, $150,000, 1000 metres
Luna Vega, 2-year-old filly (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Lucid Dreamer (GB) {Dansili {GB}})
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young in the Yulong silks, Luna Vega (Lucky Vega {Ire}) was tried at stakes level in the spring and performed well in both outings. She was third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial before running a highly credible sixth in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate, beaten only two and a third lengths by Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior). She comes back in grade off the back of two jump-out wins and is primed to strike.
Luna Vega as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Luna Vega is the first living foal out of juvenile winner Lucid Dreamer (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a half-sister to Whitebeam (USA) (Caravaggio {USA}) who won the G1 Diana Stakes twice. This is also the close family of a number of Northern Hemisphere stakes winners including European Champion 3YO Stayer and sire Logician (GB).
Since foaling Luna Vega, Lucid Dreamer produced a full brother who has been retained and a filly by Panthalassa (Jpn) in 2025, before being served by Written Tycoon.
Luna Vega was withdrawn from sale and retained to race by her breeder Yulong.
Ellerslie, Race 3, 1:54pm NZST, Listed Skycity Star Way Stakes, NZ$100,000, 1200m
Miss Janet, 2-year-old filly (Home Affairs x Janast {Redoute's Choice})
Home Affairs has been knocking it out of the park on both sides of the Tasman, and his daughter Miss Janet will attempt to continue the streak at Ellerslie at her second start. Nothing went right for the Stephen Marsh-trained filly on debut, where she finished third, so she should have lots of improvement in store for her jump into stakes grade.
Miss Janet is bidding to be the fourth winner from four runners out of Janast (Redoute's Choice), a half-sister to Listed-performed Forbes (Capitalist) out of Listed Adelaide Guineas winner Booklet (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Miss Janet as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Booklet is a granddaughter of dual Group 1 winner Spyglass (NZ) (Sir Sian {NZ}), dam of G1 Epsom Handicap victor Iron Horse (Zephyr Zip {NZ}) and Champion Jumper Spectacular (Danehill {USA}). Spyglass is also the ancestress of Western Australian sire Gingerbread Man.
Since producing Miss Janet, Janast had foaled a yearling colt by State Of Rest (Ire), who was sold for $7500 on Inglis Digital in October to EAA Racing.
Miss Janet was purchased by Go Racing Ltd and Blandford Bloodstock for $170,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Looking Back:
Price Tag (Zoustar) - Strong frontrunning winner at Cranbourne.
Theatrical Queen (Farnan) - Second by a length and a half to Logam (Prague).
Bella Verona (Castelvecchio) - Classy winner by a length in the third race.
