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 types by Zoustar and Extreme Warrior go head-to-head at Randwick while a well-bred Home Affairs filly chases Listed success at Morphettville.
Royal Randwick, Race 1, 11.20am AEST, Marcellin College Randwick 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1100m
Lorax, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Fuddle Dee Duddle {Red Ransom {USA}})
Randwick’s Saturday meeting will be the venue for the Chris Waller-trained Lorax (Zoustar) to chase his maiden win.
The well-bred colt ran a fast-finishing third on debut behind Wolf Gap (Palace Pier {GB}) at Warwick Farm back in February and has since had a break and a couple of trials to prepare for his resuming run.
Lorax is by Widden Stud’s outstanding sire in Zoustar and is the ninth foal out of the Red Ransom (USA) mare Fuddle Dee Duddle who was very talented on the track winning four times from 1100 metres to 1600 metres including in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes in Perth. She has gone on to become a successful broodmare leaving six individual winners including the Group 3 winners Brereton (Zoustar) and Space Rider (Zoustar).
Lorax as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Other family members include the outstanding Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) an 11-time winner in her career including in the G1 The Everest, G1 Manikato Stakes, G1 Doomben 10,000 Stakes and the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara.
Another star galloper within this family is the the talented mare Hallowell Belle (Starcraft {NZ}) who was successful in the G2 Gilgai Stakes and the Listed Darby Munro and managed placings in the G1 Flight Stakes, G1 TJ Smith Stakes, G1 Patinack Classic, G1 Thousand Guineas amongst other stakes races.
Since leaving Lorax, Fuddle Dee Duddle has left a yearling filly by Zoustar, and is due to foal to Zoustar again in late September.
Lorax was purchased for $675,000 by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock from the draft of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Royal Randwick, Race 1, 11.20am AEST, Marcellin College Randwick 2YO Handicap, $160,000, 1100m
Half Pipe, 2-year-old colt (Extreme Warrior x Thurlow {Sebring})
The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Half Pipe (Extreme Warrior) chases win number two at start number three at Randwick on Saturday.
He was an impressive winner at Handicap level at Muswellbrook last start and while he does step up in class significantly, he looks the kind of type that can be competitive.
Half Pipe is out of the Group 3 and Listed-winning mare Thurlow (Sebring), who has left four winners, including the four-time winner Zouthur (Zoustar).
Half Pipe as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Thurlow is a full sister to the Listed 2-year-old winner Three Kings (Sebring) and is out of the Listed-winner Princess Emmy (NZ) (King’s Chapel).
Since producing Half Pipe, Thurlow has produced a yearling filly by Zousain, and she was served by Extreme Warrior last November.
Half Pipe was purchased by Troy Redden from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Morphettville, Race 6, 3.22pm AEST (2.52pm local), Listed Sportsbet Lightning Stakes, 120,000, 1050m
Jacaranda, 2-year-old filly (Home Affairs x Gracie’s Lass {Redoute’s Choice})
The very well-bred Jacaranda (Home Affairs) chases Listed glory at Morphettville at start number four for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
She was an impressive winner at Seymour on debut back in January and she subsequently ran strong fifths in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium and the Listed Festival Stakes.
She has since had a break and a couple of jump-outs at Werribee to prepare herself for her resuming run.
Jacaranda as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Jacaranda is out of Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), making her a half-sister to the G1 Canterbury Stakes and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Artorius, now a young stallion standing at Newgate Farm. Artorius also finished in the top four in another seven Group 1 races, including twice at Royal Ascot. Another half-sibling is the Group 2 and dual Group 3-winning colt Sixties (Flying Artie).
Delectation (Shamardal {USA}) is also another family member, and he counted the G1 Darley Classic, and the G2 Royal Sovereign Stakes among his five wins.
In recent years, Gracie’s Lass has produced a yearling colt by Pinatubo (Ire), a weanling colt by Pierata, and was served by Toronado (Ire) last December.
Jacaranda was purchased by Tom Magnier for $300,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Myhro's Ruler (Wild Ruler) - An impressive winner at Echuca by six lengths.
Tengun Tango (Ole Kirk) - A gallant third on debut after being the pacesetter for much of the trip.
