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.
Three well-bred 2-year-olds by Ole Kirk, Zoustar and Lucky Vega (Ire) chase success across Australia on Wednesday.
Canterbury Park, Race 2, 1.25pm AEST, Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud 2YO Fillies Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1250m
Demerzel, 2-year-old filly (Ole Kirk x Apicius {Redoute’s Choice})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Demerzel (Ole Kirk) chases maiden success at start number two at Canterbury on Wednesday on the back of a sound fourth on debut at Warwick Farm behind the progressive Helldeeva (Hellbent) earlier this month.
The beautifully-bred 2-year-old filly is the third foal out of Apicius (Redoute’s Choice) who was a two-time winner at 1600 metres. She has already left the Listed winner Epimeles (Dundeel {NZ}).
Demerzel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Apicius is a three-quarter-sister to the Hong Kong Group 3-winner Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice) and a half-sister to the Listed winner Oz Empress (Exceed And Excel).
Demerzel's third dam is the superstar mare Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago) who was a four-time Group 1 winner on the track.
Apicius, in recent times has left an Ole Kirk weanling colt and she was subsequently left empty.
Demerzel was purchased for $550,000 by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Evergreen Stud Farm draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Canterbury Park, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Irresistible Pools & Spas 2YO C&G Maiden Handicap, $60,000, 1250m
Klocke, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Sense Of Hite (NZ) {Street Sense {USA}})
The Chris Waller-trained Klocke (Zoustar) looks very hard to beat at Canterbury on Wednesday on the back of a strong finishing second on debut on the same track behind The Machine Gun (Stay Inside) earlier this month.
Klocke is the sixth live-foal out of the Listed-placed mare Sense Of Hite (NZ) (Street Sense {USA}). She has proven to be a reliable producer leaving four winners with the best of them being Quintessa (Pierro), who was a winner over the mile, but also showed her class placing in the G1 Australian Oaks and the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes.
Klocke as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
This is also the extended family of the Listed winners Happy Go Plucky (Pluck {USA}), Dirty (Hussonet {USA}), Whitlam (Elusive Quality {USA}) and Etymology (New Approach {Ire}).
Sense of Hite, in recent times, has left a yearling by I Am Invincible that has been sent to Japan after being purchased by K Oka for $280,000 from the 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, and she was most recently served by Zoustar last spring.
Klocke was purchased for $500,000 by Tom Magnier and Eric Koh from the Silverdale Farm draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Caulfield Heath, Race 3, 1.35pm AEST, Sportsbet Blackbook 2YO Handicap, $50,000, 1200m
Vega Vixen, 2-year-old filly (Lucky Vega {Ire} x Cathay {Deep Field})
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 2-year-old filly Vega Vixen (Lucky Vega {Ire}) looks a great chance on the Caulfield Heath on Wednesday over 1200 metres. She comes into this race off a very strong maiden win on the Caulfield Heath late last month and then she ran a brave third at Flemington behind Aethera (Shamus Award) on June 6.
Vega Vixen is the second foal out of the three-time winner Cathay (Deep Field) and she was bred and is raced by Yulong Investments.
Lucky Vega (Ire) | Standing at Segenhoe Stud
Her first foal Cathay Express (Alabama Express) has been metropolitan placed in South Australia.
Cathay is a three-quarter-sister to the five-time Hong Kong-winning gelding My Sugar (Deep Field) and is out of the Listed winner Cathay Lady (Exceed And Excel). This is also the extended family of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner and new Vinery Stud stallion Tropicus.
In recent times, Cathay has left a weanling filly by Grunt (NZ), and was served by Benbatl (GB) last spring.
Looking Back:
Tauto Bar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) - Ran a gutsy fourth on debut on the Ballarat Synthetic. He should improve off that effort.
Del Lirenza (Anders) - Was a very impressive winner by just under five lengths on the Ballarat Synthetic.
