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.
Promising types by Wootoon Bassett (GB), Castelvecchio and Deep Field chase success across Australasia on Saturday.
Ellerslie, Race 2, 10.37am AEST (12.37pm local), The Lawn Shed Winter Series 2YO Final, NZ$70,000, 1200m
Coniston (NZ), 2-year-old colt (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Le Gai Soleil (NZ) {Tavistock {NZ}})
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 2-year-old colt Coniston (Wootton Bassett (GB) makes his debut at Ellerslie on Saturday. The well-bred colt has won his last two trials at Avondale and Waipa and looks a good chance on debut, although Matt Cartwright will have to weave his magic from the outside barrier.
Coniston is the first foal out of the seven-time winner Le Gai Soleil (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), her best win was in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap.
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Image courtesy of Coolmore Stud
Le Gai Soleil is very well-bred being a three-quarter-sister to the Group 3 winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who sold for $350,000 at this year's Inglis Chairman’s Sale and is also a half-sister to the dual Group 1-winner Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the three-time Group 1-winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel).
Le Gai Soleil, in recent times, has left a yearling colt by Proisir, a weanling filly by Super Seth, and was served again by Super Seth last spring.
Flemington, Race 1, 11.55am AEST, TAB We’re On 2YO Handicap, $150,000, 1420m
Helvecchio, 2-year-old colt (Castelvecchio x Miss Helsinki {Hussonet {USA}})
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 2-year-old colt Helvecchio (Castelvecchio) makes his debut in a tough race at Flemington on Saturday over 1420 metres. He has had plenty of jump-out education, and going by pedigree and those jump-outs he will appreciate more distance and time, but this looks a nice starting point.
Helvecchio as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Miss Helsinki (Hussonet {USA}) has left five winners and comes from a very strong family being a half-sister to the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}), and with her dam being the Champion five-time Group 1-winner Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice).
In recent times, Miss Helsinki has left an Admire Mars (Jpn) weanling colt and was subsequently served by Vandeek (GB).
Helvecchio was originally purchased for $110,000 by John Price Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He was then purchased by Monarch Racing Syndications for $100,000 from the 2025 Inglis September (Late) Online Sale.
Royal Randwick, Race 3, 12.10pm AEST, Schweppes BM72 3YO & 4YO Handicap, $160,000, 1600m
Nitro, 3-year-old gelding (Deep Field x Ocean Jewel {Ocean Park {NZ}})
The Peter Snowden-trained 3-year-old gelding Nitro (Deep Field) chases win number two at Randwick on Saturday over the mile distance. He was a maiden winner on debut at Warwick Farm last October and has ran several good races since then, he deserves to cap off his consistent form with a win in the hands of Tommy Berry.
Nitro is out of the Listed winning mare Ocean Jewel (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), she comes from a very strong family and traces back directly to the influential mare Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).
Nitro as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Some of the classy Group-winners that do feature in the pedigree include the Group 1-winners Hiyaam (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the Group-winners Exquisite Jewel (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn), Dark Princess (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}) and The Real Beel (NZ) (Savabeel).
Ocean Jewel, since producing Nitro, has left a 2-year-old colt named Navigation (Extreme Choice) and has failed to produce a live foal since then.
Nitro was purchased for $270,000 by Darby Racing from the Gilgai Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Peter Profit (Profiteer) - Won very nicely on debut at Rockhampton.
Fast Freddie (Snitzel) - Was also a very nice winner on debut, he was successful at Geelong.
