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.
Two promising 2-year-olds by Almanzor (Fr) and Lucky Vega (Ire) chase maiden success on debut at Seymour on Saturday.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 1, 11.40am AEST, Bet365 Bet Boost 2YO Handicap, $42,500, 1425m
Victorious Dream, 2-year-old gelding (Almanzor (Fr) x Romantic Vision (NZ) {High Chaparral {Ire}})
The Jerome Hunter-trained Victorious Dream (Almanzor {Fr}) makes his debut at Seymour on Sunday on the back of showing some solid form at the jump-outs in recent months.
The Almanzor (Fr) gelding is bred to get better with age and distance being out of the unraced High Chaparral (Ire) mare Romantic Vision (NZ), who is half-sister to the dual Group 3 and Listed-winning stayer Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and comes from the extended family of the dual-Oaks winner and three-time Group 1 winner Serenade Rose (Stravinsky {USA}).
Almanzor (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud
It is a classy and deep pedigree, with the Group 1-winners Jaarfi (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) also featuring.
Romantic Vision, in recent times has left a Benbatl (GB) weanling colt and is due to foal to Hitotsu in October.
Victorious Dream was bred by Mr G Gathercole and is raced by him under the Graebar Park Pty Ltd banner.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 12.15pm AEST, Early Espionage Speed 2YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Novamira, 2-year-old filly (Lucky Vega (Ire) x Unforgotten {Fastnet Rock})
The Chris Waller-trained and Yulong bred and raced filly Novamira (Lucky Vega {Ire}) makes her debut on Sunday at Seymour on the back of winning a jump-out over 800 metres at Flemington on July 10.
Novamira is the third foal out of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) who was also placed at the elite level another four times. Novamira is a full-sister to the dual-winner and Group 2-placed filly Mystery ‘n’ Drama (Lucky Vega {Ire}) and the winner Anyone (I Am Invincible).
Novamira as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
There are some beautiful stallion influences within Novamira’s pedigree, including Shamardal (USA), Cape Cross (Ire), Nureyev (USA), Danehill (USA) and Galileo (Ire).
Unforgotten, in recent times has left a yearling filly by Pierata, a weanling filly by Written Tycoon, and missed to Extreme Choice to Northern Hemisphere time in late March this year.
Novamira was passed in short of her $500,000 reserve at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back:
Internal Affairs (Home Affairs) - Ran an honest fifth at Rosehill, he didn't appear to enjoy the heavy track.
Seeiaye (Russian Revolution) - Was brave running third at Rosehill after sitting right on pace, he was only beaten just over a length.
Panchenko (Street Boss {USA}) - Was disappointing running fifth at Flemington.
