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.
It's all about the 2-year-olds on Saturday as exciting runners by Home Affairs, Farnan and Rubick chase success across Australia.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 1, 11am AEST, Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1400m
Friendly Fire, 2-year-old gelding (Farnan x Amica {Rubick})
The Gary Portelli-trained Friendly Fire (Farnan) chases his second win at Rosehill on Saturday. At his last start he was an impressive winner at Randwick over 1200 metres, the step up to 1400 metres looks ideal on Saturday.
Friendly Fire is the first foal out of his dam Amica (Rubick), who was a five-time winner and Group 3-placed on the track. Friendly Fire’s granddam Femina Fashion (Shamardal {USA}) was a talented galloper, winning six times including the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet over 1800 metres, and she has done a handy job at stud leaving eight winners.
Friendly Fire as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
This is the extended family of the dual Group 1 South African winner Happy Archer (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G2 Wakeful Stakes winner and Group 1-placed Lolita Star (Jeune {GB}).
Amica, in recent times, has left a Farnan weanling colt and was served by Broadsiding last spring.
Friendly Fire was purchased for $80,000 by Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Redbank North draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Eagle Farm, Race 2, 12.18pm AEST, Ticketmaster Oxlade Stakes, $160,000, 1200m
Marffiano, 2-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Miss Iano {Equiano {Fr}})
The promising Marffiano (Home Affairs) chases win number two at only start number three at Eagle Farm on Saturday for the Hayes team. He was an impressive winner at Bendigo on debut in early May, and then he ran a fast finishing fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO National Classic worth $1 million behind the exciting The Next Episode (Snitzel) late last month.
Marffiano is the second foal for eight-time winner and Group 3-performed Miss Iano (Equiano {Fr}), who is out of a half-sister to Listed Belle Of The Turf Stakes winner Hidden Wonder (Danzero), from the close family of G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Kenwood Melody (Royal Academy {USA}).
Marffiano as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her only other foal to race is the Group 2 and two-time Group 3 winner Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon), who also placed in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes as a 2-year-old.
In recent years, Miss Iano has produced a yearling colt by Written Tycoon, and was served by the Yulong resident to Northern Hemisphere time earlier this year. Ciaron Maher paid $1.3 million for the former at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Marrfiano was originally purchased by James Bester Bloodstock for $280,000 from the Pepper Tree Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. He was the re-offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) and Lindsay Park Racing paid $475,000 for the colt.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 1, 11.55am AEST, Sportsbet Fast Form 2YO Handicap, $150,000, 1000m
Mbube, 2-year-old colt (Rubick x Scandimania {Magnus})
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained Mbube (Rubick) makes his debut at Sandown on Saturday in the hands of Billy Egan over 1200 metres. The promising colt has had a quiet jump-out and a trial, and looks ready to roll on debut.
Mbube is out of the four-time winner Scandimania (Magnus). This is the extended family of the Champion unbeaten mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), the Group 1 winning and producing sires All Too Hard, Magnus and Ole Kirk. Scandimania, in recent times, has left a yearling colt by Dirty Work.
Mbube as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Mbube has seen plenty of sales rings. He was initially purchased for $1500 by R A G Syndicate Group by Supreme Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale. He was then sold at the 2025 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale where Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased him for $22,500 from the Willow Grove Consignment.
He was then re-offered through the 2025 Inglis Ready2Race Sale through the Merricks Station draft, where the same combination of Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased the colt for $300,000.
Looking Back:
Forbidden Desire (Tassort) - Ran a battling fifth at Ballarat.
Dreck (Dirty Work) - Was a deserved winner at Ballarat as he was able to cap off some consistent form and gain victory.
