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 Circus Maximus (Ire), The Autumn Sun and Justify (USA) chase maiden success at Bendigo on Thursday afternoon.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Grogans Machinery 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Stuntman (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Circus Maximus (Ire) x Viviane (NZ) (Volksraad {GB})
The OTI Racing owned with partners, and the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Stuntman (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) makes his third start at Bendigo on Thursday.
He ran a good second on debut at Pakenham in February before disappointing a few weeks later at the same venue. Since then he has had a nice break and a couple of jump-outs to prepare himself for his resuming run.
Stuntman (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
He is the thirteenth and last foal out of Viviane (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}) who was placed on the track in New Zealand, but has gone on to produce seven winners at stud, with the best of them being Cismontane (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) who was the winner of the G3 Lexus Stakes at Flemington.
Some Group 1 winners that feature a little bit lower in the pedigree include Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Nimue (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) and Sirstaci (NZ) (Silver Dream {GB}).
Stuntman was passed in short of his NZ$60,000 reserve at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Bendigo, Race 1, 1pm AEST, Grogans Machinery 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1300m
Lollie’s Galore , 3-year-old gelding (The Autumn Sun x Bagalollies {Zabeel {NZ}})
The beautifully-bred 3-year-old gelding Lollie’s Galore (The Autumn Sun) looks a good chance resuming at Bendigo on Thursday afternoon. He ran two solid races in his first preparation and has had a jump-out and a trial in preparation for his first-up run.
He is the last foal out of his dam Bagalollies (Zabeel {NZ}), she was a dual winner in New Zealand over staying trips, but it has been as a broodmare where she has become a star.
Lollie’s Galore as a yearling | Image courtyesu of Inglis
She has left six winners in total, including three stakes winners. These include the three-time Group 1 winner and Hong Kong Champion Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}). the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), and the G3 New Zealand Cup winner Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Lollie’s Galore was purchased for $300,000 by George Moore Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Bendigo, Race 4, 2.30pm AEST, Sheahan Plumbing Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1400m
Lancetta, 4-year-old mare (Justify (USA) x Tulip {Pierro})
The Ciaron Maher-trained 4-year-old mare Lancetta (Justify {USA}) chases maiden success at start number three at Bendigo on Thursday. She ran fifth on debut back in June last year and after a long time off the scene she ran a promising third on the Ballarat Synthetic at the end of last month, she has been given time to get over that effort and lines up again over 1400 metres which looks suitable.
Lancetta is out of the smart mare Tulip (Pierro), she was a winner at Group 3-level twice and placed in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.
Lancetta as a yearling | Image courtessy of New zealand Bloodstock
Tulip is also very well-bred being a full-sister to the Listed Gosford Gold Cup winner Les Vampires (Pierro) and a half-sister to the Group 3-winner Sacred Eye (High Chaparral {Ire}).
This is also the extended family of the Group 1-winners and very successful sires Flying Spur and Encosta De Lago.
Tulip, in recent times has left a 2-year-old filly named Daeseya (Justify {USA}) and is due to foal to the exciting Switzerland late next month.
Lancetta was purchased for NZ$300,000 by Ciaron Maher Racing at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the Curraghmore draft.
Looking Back
Claudel (So You Think {NZ}) - Ran a battling fourth on the Kensington.
Astaire Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) - Ran an okay fifth on debut on the Kensington, he looks like he will appreciate a bit of time and distance.
Here's Matilda (Shamus Award) - Was a very impressive winner in tough conditions at Sandown.
