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 So You Think (NZ), Dundeel (NZ) and Shamus Award chases success across Australia on Wednesday.
Kensington, Race 1, 12.50pm AEST, Robrick Lodge Maiden Handicap, $100,000, 1550m
Claudel, 3-year-old filly (So You Think (NZ) x Moosirra {Redoute’s Choice})
The Chris Waller-trained Claudel (So You Think {NZ}) chases maiden success at start number five on the Kensington on Wednesday. The consistent So You Think (NZ) filly deserves to taste maiden success, having placed second in all four of her career starts to date, so she is definitely very much deserving of a maiden victory at short notice.
Claudel is the sixth live-foal out of the unraced mare Moosirra (Redoute’s Choice), She has left five winners, with the best of them being the Listed winner Muntaseera (I Am Invincible) and the five-time winner Oakfield Saturn (American Pharoah {USA}).
Claudel as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Moosirra is well-related being a full-sister to the South African Champion 2-year-old colt and Group 1-winner Musir (Redoute’s Choice) and another two Group-winners.
Moosirra, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old gelding named Lucky Dip (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a weanling filly by Home Affairs and she missed to both Ole Kirk and Broadsiding last spring.
Claudel was purchased for $280,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) out of the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Kensington, Race 3, 2pm AEST, Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Plate, $60,000, 1100m
Astaire Legend, 2-year-old gelding (Dundeel (NZ) x Steps In Time {Danehill Dancer {Ire}})
The Les Bridge-trained Astaire Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) makes his debut on the Kensington on Wednesday on the back of a couple of educational trials at Randwick this month.
Astaire Legend is out of the G1 Coolmore Classic victrix Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who has left six winners, with the best of them being the five-time winner I Am Lethal (I Am Invincible) who has also placed fourth in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Astaire Legend as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Astaire Legend’s grandam is the G2 Stan Fox Stakes winner Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
This is the family of Group 1 winners Espiona (Extreme Choice), Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}) and Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Since producing Astaire Legend, Steps In Time has failed to leave a live-foal, although she was served by Capitalist last December.
Sportsbet Sandown Hillside, Race 7, 3.55pm AEST, Tile Importer BM64 3YO Handicap, $50,000, 1400m
Here’s Matilda, 3-year-old filly (Shamus Award x Bali Beach (GB) {Farhh {GB}})
The Ciaron Maher-trained Here’s Matilda (Shamus Award) looks to go back-to-back at Sandown on Wednesday after winning in style on the Lakeside circuit on debut earlier this month.
Here's Matilda is the first foal out of Bali Beach (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who was placed as a 2-year-old in Spain.
Shamus Award | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Bali Beach has a strong pedigree, being a half-sister to G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was also successful at Group 2 and Group 3 level and was placed in both the G1 Ascot Gold Cup and the G1 Goodwood Cup.
Here's Matilda's grandam Waitress (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) was a dual winner and Listed placed in France.
Since producing Here's Matilda, Bali Beach has produced a 2-year-old filly named Levate (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) and was served by G1 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip (Fr) last October.
Looking Back
Hello Mistress (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) - Ran a bold second at Swan Hill, a win is getting close for this consistent filly.
Budjik Queen (Churchill {Ire}) - Was a tenacious winner on debut, putting in a solid front-running performance after being well-backed.
