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 3-year-olds by Alabama Express and Hellbent chase maiden success across Australia on Friday.
Bet365 Mildura, Race 1, 12.20pm, AEST, John Salisbury 11 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1400m
Mike’s Hope, 3-year-old gelding (Alabama Express x Reglisse (NZ) {Zabeel {NZ}})
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Mike’s Hope (Alabama Express) chases maiden success, resuming at Mildura on Friday. The 3-year-old son of Alabama Express ran two good races last preparation for third and fourth and has jumped-out twice in preparation for his first-up run.
Mike’s Hope is the last foal out of the unraced Zabeel (NZ) mare Reglisse (NZ). She has done a tidy job at stud leaving seven individual winners.
Mike's Hope as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Reglisse is a half-sister to the Group 3 and Listed-winner Valpolicella (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}), who went on to leave three Group-winners, Catalonia (NZ) (Commands), Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) and Vavasour (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice).
Mike’s Hope was purchased for $85,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables from the Berkeley Park Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Goulburn, Race 1, 12.24pm, AEST, Swiftwood Tiles & Bathrooms Maiden Handicap, $27,000, 1300m
Peace Bird, 3-year-old filly (Hellbent x Dove Lake {Flying Spur})
The consistent Peace Bird (Hellbent) chases maiden success for trainer Ciaron Maher at Goulburn on Friday. The Cressfield-owned filly has ran four placings in her career so far, including her finishing runner-up at her last three starts.
The Hellbent filly has a beautiful pedigree, she is out of Dove Lake (Flying Spur) who was a metropolitan 2-year-old winner in Sydney. She has left four individual winners including the six-time winner Lighthorse Lad (I Am Invincible).
Pearce Bird as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Dove Lake is a half sister to Headwater, who is a stallion at Vinery Stud. He was the winner of the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, Listed Kensington Stakes, and also ran fourth in the G1 Moir Stakes.
Other top-class performers in the family include the the Group 1 winner and young sire Captivant, the Group 2 winner First Command (Commands), The Hong Kong Group 2 winner Oneworld (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), and the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Dove Lake in recent years, has left a Hellbent yearling full sister to Peace Bird named Laughing Dove, before she sadly died late last year.
Peace Bird was passed in short of her $100,000 reserve when presented by Cressfield at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Andarna (Farnan) - Ran a fast finishing second at Kembla Grange.
Koko (Written Tycoon) - Ran a solid second at Cranbourne, she continues to race well.
