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 well-bred types by The Autumn Sun and Lucky Vega (Ire) look to chase a 2-year-old victory on the last day of the racing season at Geelong on Friday.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 2, 12.40pm AEST, Tract 2YO Maiden Plate, $32,00, 1100m
Autumn Lover, 2-year-old filly (The Autumn Sun x Courtesan (NZ) {Mastercraftsman {Ire}})
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Autumn Lover (The Autumn Sun) makes her fourth start at Geelong on Friday. She ran three solid races during her first preparation and has since had a little break and a couple of trials to prepare herself for her resuming run.
Autumn Lover is out of the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Courtesan (NZ), who has left four winners at stud. She is well-related being a half-sister to the G1 Victoria Derby winner and stallion Monaco Consul (NZ).
Autumn Lover as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Other Group-winners within the page include the talented New Zealand filly Origin Of Love (Snitzel), Proved (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and Roll On High (Shamus Award).
Courtesan, in recent times, has left a yearling filly by Maurice (Jpn), a weanling colt by Maurice, and was served by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) last spring.
Autumn Lover was purchased for $200,000 by Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing from the Glenbeigh Farm draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Ladbrokes Geelong, Race 2, 12.40pm AEST, Tract 2YO Maiden Plate, $32,00, 1100m
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 Friday at Geelong 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
Lollie's Galore (The Autumn Sun) and Stuntman (NZ) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) were both a touch disappointing running sixth and seventh respectively.
Lancetta (Justify {USA}) - Was scratched from her race at Bendigo, she will keep for another day.
