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 promising types by Hellbent and Castelvecchio chase maiden success at Seymour and Port Macquarie on Sunday.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 1.45pm AEDT, Bet365 Bet Boost Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Determinato, 3-year-old gelding (Hellbent x Sognani {Magic Albert})
The Dominic Sutton-trained Determinato (Hellbent) chases maiden success at Seymour on Sunday afternoon over 1300 metres. The promising gelding ran two placings last November and December at Wodonga and Horsham, and has since had a break and a couple of Flemington jump-outs to prepare him for his resuming run.
Determinato as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Determinato is out of the dual winner Sognani (Magic Albert), who has already left three winners at stud, including the Group 2 winning 2-year-old filly Kristilli (Hellbent), and the two-time winner Anarita (Hellbent).
This is also the extended family of the G1 Canterbury Stakes winner Lady Laguna (Overshare).
Sognani, in recent years, has left a 2-year-old gelding named Trackhawk (Hellbent), a yearling filly by Hellbent, a weanling colt by I Am Invincible, and was served by Brave Smash (Jpn) last spring.
Determinato was purchased for $140,000 by McKeever Bloodstock and Dom Sutton Racing from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Port Macquarie, Race 4, 2.39pm AEDT, Flanagan Construction & Concreting Super Maiden Handicap, $50,000, 1200m
Amazigh Torque, 3-year-old filly (Castelvecchio x Moroccan Rose {Charge Forward})
The Matthew Dunn-trained Amazigh Torque (Castelvecchio) lines up for her third start at Port Macquarie on Sunday. She has ran two very good placings at Grafton at her first two starts.
Amazigh Torque is out of the Listed-placed Charge Forward mare Moroccan Rose. She has already left three winners including the eight-time winner and Listed-placed Kavak (Deep Field). She is also well-related being a half-sister to Hit The Shot (Dundeel {NZ}) who won twice, but was placed in the G1 Victorian Derby and the G3 Caulfield Classic.
Amazigh Torque as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
With Castelvecchio being a son of Dundeel (NZ), Amazigh Torque is very closely related to this talented stayer. This is also the extended family of the smart 2-year-old Military Rose (General Nediym) and this seasons impressive G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Campione D’Italia (Snitzel).
Moroccan Rose, in recent times, has left a yearling colt by Ole Kirk, and a weanling filly by Maurice (Jpn).
Amazigh Torque was purchased for $100,000 from the Longwood Thoroughbred Farm draft by Matthew Dunn and Neil Jenkinson (FBAA) at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Nialah (Stay Inside) - Ran a modest sixth at Flemington at Listed level.
Affari (Home Affairs) - Peaked on her run, placing fifth when looking likely a furlong out at Eagle Farm.
Ole Go (Ole Kirk) - Disappointed running fifth at Morphettville after racing very keenly.
