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 Tassort and Dirty Work chase maiden success at Ballarat on Friday.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 1, 2.25pm AEST, Global Turf Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1200m
Forbidden Desire, 2-year-old filly (Tassort x Devine Shen {Nicconi})
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained Forbidden Desire (Tassort) chases maiden success at Ballarat on Friday. The consistent 2-year-old filly has been finishing not too far away in strong fields of late, and looks a good each-way chance in this event.
Forbidden Desire is the second foal out of Devine Shen (Nicconi) who only raced twice. She is a half-sister to the Listed winner Moshke (Bel Esprit), who in turn is the dam of the Cranbourne Meteorite winner Nadal (Xtravagant {NZ}), who has also placed at Group 2 and Listed level.
Forbidden Desire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Devine Shen, in recent times, has left a yearling filly by North Pacific, a weanling colt by Artorius, and was served again by Artorius last spring.
Forbidden Desire was purchased by Race with Lizzie, Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock for $100,000 from the Toolooganvale Farm draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet-Ballarat, Race 4, 2.10pm AEST, Evergreen Turf Maiden Plate, $32,000, 1400m
Dreck, 3-year-old gelding (Dirty Work x Little Things {High Chaparral {Ire}})
The Symon Wilde-trained 3-year-old Dreck (Dirty Work) chases maiden success at start number five at Ballarat on Friday. He looks a great chance on the back of his eye-catching third at Warrnambool on May 5 behind Singles Moment (Doubtland) and then a solid second at Hamilton late last month behind Queen Christine (Earthlight {Ire}).
Dirty Work | Standing at Widden Stud
Dreck is the last foal out of Little Things (High Chaparral {Ire}), who has left the five-time winner Spare Coin (Rich Enuff). Little Things has a strong pedigree being a half-sister to the Group 2, Group 3 and Listed winner Ringerdingding and the stakes-placed Salome (Unencumbered)
Dreck was purchased for $32,500 by Wilde Racing Pty Ltd from the Ponderosa Park draft at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
Looking Back:
Opine (So You Think {NZ}) - Ran an honest fourth on debut at Gosford, he could be one to follow in his next couple of starts.
Koko (Written Tycoon) - Ran a solid third at Seymour, she should improve off that fresh-up effort.
