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.
Bloodlines are to the fore again on Thursday, when a half-sister to three stakes winners take her first steps and a close relation to a Champnion 2YO Filly seeks to settle the score.
Newcastle, Race 1, 1pm AEDT, Dailey Family Funerals 2YO Maiden Plate, $42,000, 900m
Spice Trail, 2-year-old filly (I Am Invincible x Mabkhara {Anabaa {USA}})
A very well related filly will make her debut for Kris Lees on Thursday when Spice Trail (I Am Invincible) steps out for the first time at Newcastle. The winner of two of her three trials, the 2-year-old was absolutely dominant in her most recent outing, winning by five and a half lengths at the beginning of April.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park
Spice Trail is the last foal of Mabkhara (Anabaa {USA}), who has been a particularly prolific producer to date for Bob Hannon. She is the dam of three stakes winners in the Group winners Olentia (Zoustar) and Wandabaa (Wandjina), and dual Listed winner Malkovich (Choisir). Olentia sold for $2.6 million as a broodmare prospect in a Magic Millions virtual sale last year and has been exported to the United Kingdom.
All eight of Mabkhara's foals to the track are winners, including five-time winner Shirvington (Capitalist) and Group 3-performed Seewhatsebrings (Sebring). Her unraced daughter Devil In Her Heart (Star Witness) is the dam of Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Little Paradise (Toronado {Ire}).
Spice Trail was retained to race by her breeder in a syndicate also featuring Yarraman Park Stud.
Newcastle, Race 2, 1:35pm AEDT, Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Maiden Handicap, $42,000, 900m
Artemex, 2-year-old colt (Exceed And Excel x Artemis Rose {Lonhro})
Last seen unplaced in the $1 million Golden Gift, Artemex (Exceed And Excel) is back to the races off of the back of two trials, where he has finished second on both occasions. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt wasn't beaten far in his most recent outing and should be quick over the 900 metres on his resumption.
Artemex is the fifth foal out of dual winner Artemis Rose (Lonhro), a half-sister to the grand producer Regrowth (Unbridled's Song {USA}), whose descendants include Group 3 winners Boognish (Sooboog) and Colour (More Than Ready {USA}), Derryn, and Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Another half-sister is Prove It (Dehere {USA}), dam of Champion 2YO Filly Forensics (Flying Spur).
Artemex as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Since producing Artemex, Artemis Rose has delivered a yearling filly by Extreme Choice and a weanling colt by King's Legacy. She was served by Broadsiding in 2025.
Artemex was a $120,000 purchase for Dynamic Syndications and Dean Watt Bloodstock from the draft of Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year.
Pakenham, Race 1, 5:15pm AEDT, Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden Plate, $45,000, 1600m
Rockette, 3-year-old filly (So You Think (NZ) x And Rock {Fastnet Rock})
Three-year-old Rockette (So You Think {NZ}) will step out of the first time for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr during the night racing at Pakenham on Thursday. The filly has had three jump-outs ahead of debut where she has always been in the mix and gets the services of red hot jockey Lachlan Neindorf.
So You Think (NZ) | Image courtesy of Coolmore Stud
Rockette is the sixth foal out of winner and stakes performer And Rock (Fastnet Rock), who has produced three winners from four to race so far, including Group-performed Barcali (Zoustar). She is a half-sister to Luxury Suite (Viscount), dam of Listed Kilmore Cup winner Hi Stranger (Zoffany {Ire}).
Since foaling Rockette, And Rock has produced a yearling by the late Sejardan, who was a $75,000 weanling at last year's Inglis Great Southern Sale. She visited Sejardan again in 2025.
P Morgan paid $100,000 for Rockette as a weanling from Blue Gum Farm's 2023 Great Southern Sale draft.
Looking Back:
Loera (Capitalist) - Knocked off her maiden in style with a three-quarter-length win.
Enea (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) - Scratched and sent to the paddock.
Berzelius (Extreme Choice) - Terrific winner by a length and a half.
