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 Bivouac and Written Tycoon chase maiden success at Gosford on Thursday.
Gosford, Race 3, 1.20pm AEST, NCIS Sydney Midway Maiden Handicap, $45,000, 1000m
Southport, 3-year-old colt (Bivouac x Marielle {Lonhro})
The Brad Widdup-trained Southport (Bivouac) lines up for his second start at Gosford on Thursday over 1000 metres. He ran a solid fifth on debut at Gosford last December behind Capture Me (Zoustar) and since then he has had a break and a couple of trials to prepare himself for his resuming run.
Southport is the fourth live-foal out of the winning Lonhro mare Marielle (Lonhro), she is very well-related being a half-sister to the Champion sire I Am Invincible, who needs no introduction with the impact he has had on Australasian breeding.
Southport as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Marielle in recent times, has left a Zousain 2-year-old filly, a Zousain weanling colt and was served by Cosmic Force last spring.
TTR highlighted Marielle's weanling colt by Zousain as part of the Foal Focus series last spring with his breeders Davali Thoroughbreds.
Southport was passed in short of his $120,000 reserve at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Gosford, Race 6, 3.10pm AEST, Brew-B-Q @ Teg 7 Nov 2026 Super Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1200m
Merini, 3-year-old filly (Written Tycoon x Almighty Girl {Beneteau})
The Kris Lees-trained Merini (Written Tycoon) chases maiden success at start number four at Gosford on Thursday. The promising Written Tycoon 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 ran an eye-catching second at Wyong behind Gamp (Tassort), she looks well-placed to go one better in this race over 1200 metres.
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.
Looking Back:
Extremely Chic (Extreme Choice) - Ran a strong third at Canterbury on debut, while Miss Scandal (NZ) (Home Affairs) was a touch disappointing running fifth in the same race.
Loveyamore (Toronado {Ire}) - Ran a very close-up fourth on the Caulfield Heath resuming. She looks like she will be in for a very good campaign off that effort.
