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 Extreme Choice and Hello Youmzain (Fr) wearing the Glenn Ritchie racing colours chase success at Canterbury on Monday.
Canterbury Park, Race 1, 12.15pm AEST, E Security Group 2YO Fillies Maiden, $65,000, 1250m
Extremely Chic, 2-year-old filly (Extreme Choice x Istanford (USA) {Istan {USA}})
The Chris Waller-trained Extremely Chic (Extreme Choice) has her second start at Canterbury on Monday in the hands of jockey Sam Clipperton.
She ran a strong finishing third on debut on the same track behind Pin Up Sheila (Pinatubo {Ire}) late last month over 1100 metres, the step up in distance looks ideal for this promising filly.
Extremely Chic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Extremely Chic is out of the American Group 2, Group 3 and Listed winner Istanford (USA) (Istan {USA}). She has already proven to be a successful broodmare leaving four winners including the five-time winning sprinter Tonneofgrit (Winning Rupert).
Istanford, in recent times has left an Extreme Choice yearling filly and was served by the outstanding stallion again last spring.
Extremely Chic was purchased for $580,000 by Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Canterbury Park, Race 3, 1.25pm AEST, Schweppes BM64 3YO Handicap, $65,000, 1250m
Hello Captain (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Hello Youmzain (Fr) x Steer By The Stars (Ire) {Pivotal {GB}})
The Chris Waller-trained Hello Captain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) chases his third win from only four starts at Canterbury on Monday. The promising gelding has already picked up wins at the Sunshine Coast and Warwick Farm in his short three-start career so far.
Hello Captain is one of four winners from five starters for Steer By The Stars (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), a juvenile winner who has produced the Listed Carnarvon Stakes winner Never Back Down (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) before her journey south to New Zealand. Her current 2-year-old Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) is a full brother to Hello Captain, and was second in the G3 TL Baillieu Stakes and fourth in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes earlier in the autumn.
Hello Captain (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
A granddaughter of Listed victress and prolific producer Wild Planet (USA) (Nureyev {USA}), Steer By The Stars is a half-sister to the Listed winners Consort (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Her World (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}), as well as closely related to G1 Spinster Stakes winner Aruna (USA) (Mr Greeley {USA}) and stakes-winning, Group 1-performed stallion Honoured Guest (Ire).
Steer By The Stars left a yearling filly by Farnan, who was purchased by Shijiazhuang Hongtao Horse Breeding for NZ$160,000 at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, before the mare sadly died in 2025.
Hello Captain was purchased for NZ$425,000 by Chris Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Thyme To Go (I Am Invincible) - Was a well beaten second at Wyong, it was still an honest effort.
Hopeless Romantic (Hellbent) - Was a brave winner at Swan Hill at start number three.
