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 types by Written Tycoon, Home Affairs and Trapeze Artist chase success on the Sandown Hillside circuit on Wednesday.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 1, 12.25pm AEST, Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1200m
Saludar, 3-year-old gelding (Written Tycoon x Saluting To Win {Medaglia D’Oro {USA}})
The Grahame Begg-trained 3-year-old Saludar (Written Tycoon) chases maiden success, resuming at Sandown on Wednesday over 1200 metres.
The promising gelding ran two good races last preparation, which included a strong finishing second on this same track behind Loud Charlie (Prague) back in late January.
He has since had a break and won his most recent jump-out on the Pakenham Synthetic to prepare himself for his resuming run.
Saludar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Saludar is out of the unplaced Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Saluting To Win, she is a half-sister to the promising young stallion and Group 2-winning sprinter Dirty Work.
This is also the extended family of the dual Group 2 winning sprinter and Group 1-placed Pinwheel (Lonhro), the Listed winner Meidung (Bernardini {USA}) and her daughter Banish (Lonhro) who won the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic.
In recent times, Saluting To Win has left a 2-year-old filly named Foxy Vixen (Alabama Express) who was placed at her only start at Mornington, a weanling colt by Panthalassa (Jpn) and was most recently served by More Than Looks (USA) last October.
Saludar was purchased for $170,000 by PR Thoroughbreds from the Yulong draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 2, 1pm AEST, MRC Membership Made of Moments 2YO Fillies Handicap, $50,000, 1000m
Lady Moscato, 2-year-old filly (Home Affairs x Champagne Cuddles {Not A Single Doubt})
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Lady Moscato (Home Affairs) will be chasing maiden success at Sandown on Wednesday over 1000 metres.
She has been consistent in his career in strong races, she ran second on debut in the $500,000 Magic Millions 2YO Debut behind Toorak Jewel (Tassort) at the Gold Coast, and then ran a solid fourth in the Listed Lonhro Plate behind Agrarian Girl (Tassort), before being only beat just over four lengths in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes behind Streisand (Magnus) after setting a strong pace.
Lady Moscato as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lady Moscato is the third foal from the Not A Single Doubt mare Champagne Cuddles, who was a speedy four time winner, her wins included the G2 Breeders Classic and the G3 Gold Coast Guineas. She also managed placings in the G1 Golden Rose, G1 Flight Stakes, G1 Stradbroke Handicap, and the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
This family has so much depth to it, Lady Moscato’s grandam Sky Cuddle (Snippets) was also a very good race mare. She was a six time winner from 1200 metres to 1600 metres including in the G1 Emirates Stakes.
Champagne Cuddles sold at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale fetching $2 million to the bid of Tom Magnier. Since producing Lady Moscato, she has produced a weanling filly by Justify (USA) and unfortunately missed to both Wootton Bassett (GB) and Home Affairs last season.
Lady Moscato was purchased from the Coolmore Stud draft for $1,050,000 by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 4, 2.10pm AEST, Evergreen Turf 3YO Fillies BM64 Handicap, $50,000, 1400m
Circus Lights, 3-year-old filly (Trapeze Artist x Laney (USA) {Shackleford {USA}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Circus Lights (Trapeze Artist) chases her second win at only her third career start at Sandown on Wednesday, she previously scored at maiden level on the Ballarat-Synthetic late last month over 1500 metres.
Circus Lights is out of the three-time American winner Laney (USA) (Shackleford {USA}) who was also Group-placed twice. This is the extended family of the Listed winners Midnight Ballet (Midnight Lute {USA}) and Buzz Song (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}).
Circus Lights as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Laney, in recent times has produced a 2-year-old filly named Danke Schoen (Microphone), a yearling filly named Karaoke Lane (Microphone), a weanling colt by Farnan, and was served by Starlust (GB) last November.
Circus Lights was originally purchased for $60,000 by Paul Willetts Bloodstock Consultancy from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. She was then re-offered at the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by Sullivan Bloodstock, where Starblue Consultancy and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock paid $70,000.
Looking Back:
Mistressof Mayfair (Churchill {Ire}) - Was scratched from her race at Moe, she will keep for another day.
Kadesh (Toronado {Ire}) - Ran an honest third at Moe resuming on Tuesday. A maiden win is getting close.
