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 promising 2-year-olds by Wild Ruler, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Extreme Choice chase success on Saturday, all on the back of maiden wins at their last start.
Flemington, Race 1, 11.55am AEST, Next Generation Sprinters Series 2YO Final, $160,000, 1100m
Vivid Storm, 2-year-old colt (Wild Ruler x Sing A Rainbow (Ire) {Frankel {GB}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Vivid Storm (Wild Ruler) chases his second career victory at Flemington on Saturday in the hands of jockey Harry Coffey.
He started his career with a second placing at Caulfield behind Obambulate (Tiger Of Malay) in late May, and then he won very nicely in the middle of June on the Caulfield Heath over 1200 metres.
Vivid Storm is out of the Frankel (GB) mare Sing A Rainbow (Ire), who was a winner over 2400 metres in Great Britain.
Vivid Storm as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sing A Rainbow is a half-sister to the Group 2, Group 3 and Listed winner Lavender’s Blue (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Listed winner Moomba (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and is out of the Group 3 and Listed-winning mare Beatrice Aurore (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Sing A Rainbow, in recent years, has left a yearling filly by Pinatubo (Ire), a weanling filly by Shinzo and was served by Mo’Unga (NZ) last November.
Vivid Storm was purchased by Blueblood Thoroughbreds and Lindsay Park for $60,000 from the Aristia Park draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Flemington, Race 2, 12.30pm AEST, Listed Taj Rossi Series 2YO Final, $175,000, 1600m
Marwooba, 2-year-old gelding (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Marguns {Fastnet Rock})
The Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Marwooba (Wootton Bassett {GB}) chases his second win at Flemington over the mile distance on Saturday.
The well-bred gelding comes into the race on the back of a win at Rosehill over 1400 metres when defeating Friendly Fire (Farnan).
Marwooba as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Marwooba is the first foal out of Marguns (Fastnet Rock), an unraced full-sister to Listed-performed Italia Bella (Fastnet Rock), herself the dam of Listed Singapore 3YO Classic winner Lim’s Bighorn (Better Than Ready).
Marwooba’s grandam Pear Tart (Dehere {USA}) won the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara and the G2 Queensland Guineas.
Marguns delivered a Toronado (Ire) filly the year after Marwooba, who passed in at the Gold Coast earlier this year. The mare has since passed away.
Hawkes Racing purchased Marwooba for $400,000 from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Rosehill, Race 3, 12.15pm AEST, Thank You ATC Members 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1100m
Omolong, 2-year-old colt (Extreme Choice x Samarmeteors {Northern Meteor})
The Chris Waller-trained and Yulong-raced Omolong (Extreme Choice) looks to take his record to two-from-two at Rosehill on Saturday. On debut Omolong was a super impressive winner over Sanctum (Stay Inside) over 100 metres at Warwick Farm over 1100 metres.
Omolong as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Omolong was a very strong pedigree, being out of the 2-year-old winner Samarmeteors (Northern Meteor) who has left four winners, including the Group 2 and Group 3-winner and stallion Prost.
Samarmeteors is also a half-sister to Samaready (More Than Ready), who was a dual Group 1-winner and is also the dam of the G1 Golden Slipper winner and exciting young sire Shinzo.
Omolong was purchased for $850,000 by Yu Long Investments (Australia) Pty Ltd from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Marilao (Tagaloa) - Ran a solid enough fourth on debut at Moe.
Jenni Poppins (Maurice {Jpn}) - Was scratched from her race at Moe.
