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 3-year-olds by Written Tycoon and Zoustar chase maiden success at Wyong and Goulburn on Thursday.
Wyong, Race 2, 1.20pm AEST, Hilton & Marilyn Cope Appreciation Race Super Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Merini, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Almighty Girl {Beneteau})
The Kris Lees-trained Merini (Written Tycoon) chases maiden success at start number three at Wyong on Thursday. The promising filly started her career in New Zealand, where she placed fourth and second in her two starts for trainer Chad Ormsby.
She has since moved to Australia and has prepared for this run with two nice trials at Scone and Muswellbrook.
Merini as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Merini is the fifth foal out of Almighty Girl (Beneteau), she was a smart mare winning the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes on the track. She is also very well-bred being a half-sister to the South African Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Zodiac Ruler (Zoffany {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the influential Group 3 winning mare and prolific producer Procrastinate (Jade Hunter {USA}).
Almighty Girl, since producing Merini, has left a yearling colt by Maurice (Jpn), and a weanling colt by Pierro, before being left empty last spring.
Merini was purchased for $180,000 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock and Elsdon Park from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Goulburn, Race 5, 2.55pm AEST, Doyles Seafood Restaurant Maiden Handicap, $27,000, 1100m
Tsardeal, 3-year-old gelding (Zoustar x Sweet Deal {Casino Prince})
The well-bred Tsardeal (Zoustar) chases maiden success for trainer John Thompson at start number two at Goulburn on Thursday.
He made his debut back in December at Hawkesbury where he ran a sound fifth behind Seven Days (Farnan), after that run he was sent for a break and has prepared for his resuming run with recent trials at Canterbury and Randwick.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
Tsardeal is the first foal out of the smart four-time Group 3 winning mare Sweet Deal (Casino Prince), who also placed in the G1 Tattersall's Tiara. After her racing career Sweet Deal was purchased by Lustre Lodge for $850,000 at the 2021 Inglis Chairman's Sale .
Sweet Deal, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old colt named Sweet Intent (Written Tycoon), and was served by Stay Inside last spring.
Tsardeal was withdrawn from the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Artemex (Exceed And Excel) - Was a touch disappointing running fourth at Warwick Farm.
Yoweri (I Am Invincible) - Ran a battling sixth at Eagle Farm, while The Thorncaster (Farnan) disappointed at the same venue running sixth as favourite.
