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 runners take us into Tuesday; a Kris Lees-trained gelding aims to remain unbeaten at Taree, and an Ocean Park (NZ) filly goes for gold on debut at Swan Hill.
Taree, Race 2, 1:50pm AEDT, Cafe Nosh CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap, $27,000, 1262m
Dark Justice, 3-year-old gelding (Justify (USA) x Sexy Siren {Excites})
Dark Justice (Justice {USA}) returns to the scene of his debut victory in November when he resumes on Tuesday for Kris Lees. The gelding was a tough winner over 1300 metres at Taree last year, and resumes after two trials, the most recent of which was behind the unbeaten Lord Remlap (Star Turn) at Scone.
Dark Justice as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Dark Justice is one of seven winners from eight to the track out of Sexy Siren (Excites), a daughter of Listed-performed Siren Songs (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}). This is also the family of G3 Waikato Guineas winner Noble Captain (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}) and Listed Maribyrnong Trial winner Sweet Cheeks (General Nediym).
Since producing Dark Justice, Sexy Siren has foaled a yearling filly named Sheer Grace (Astern) and a colt by Native Trail (GB). She was not served last season.
Lees Racing paid $170,000 for Dark Justice at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by HP Thoroughbreds.
Swan Hill, Race 3, 2:30pm AEDT, Ultima Hotel Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1300m
Sakura Jenni (NZ), 3-year-old filly (Ocean Park (NZ) x Dubonnet (NZ) {O'Reilly {NZ}})
Trained by Brent Stanley, Sakura Jenni (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) makes her debut at Swan Hill on Tuesday. The filly has had two public jump-outs ahead of her first trip to the races, and she won the most recent one ahead of Burning Sensation (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who is already a race winner.
Sakura Jenni (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Sakura Jenni is the seventh foal out of Dubonnet (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), whose first six foals are all winners. Dubonnet is out of G1 Invitational Stakes winner Pernod (NZ) (Centaine) and a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Martini Red (Red Ransom). Of Pernod's 10 foals to race, nine are winners.
Since producing Sakura Jenni, Dubonnet foaled a colt by Almanzor (Fr) in 2024, and has been served most recently by Profondo.
Sakura Jenni passed in at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in Trelawney Stud's draft, and then was withdrawn from the NZB Ready To Run Sale later that year.
Looking Back
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Ulfberht (Anders) - a nice second to a more experienced runner.
Avido (NZ) (Super Seth) - Disappointed a bit when running fifth.
Coastal Boom (Spirit Of Boom) - Just nabbed at the end to finish second.
