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 3-year-olds by Home Affairs and a well-bred Dundeel (NZ) gelding chase success on the first racing day of the new season on Saturday.
Flemington, Race 2, 12.50pm AEST, Jockeys Celebration Day 3YO handicap Sprint , $150,000, 1000m
Covert Action, 4-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Secret Agenda {Not A Single Doubt})
The well-bred Covert Action (Home Affairs) is set to make his second start at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Shane Nichols and Hayden Black.
He was an impressive winner on debut at Cranbourne a few weeks ago and looks more than capable of taking the step up and being competitive in this event.
Covert Action as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
His dam is Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt), who was an outstanding seven-time winner including at Group 1 level in the Robert Sangster Stakes, she also won another three Group races and a Listed event in her career.
Secret Agenda is also a sister to Star Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) who was Group placed and a half-sister to another three stakes performers including Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun), Donandkim (Smart Missile), and Sweetener (Snitzel).
Secret Agenda sadly died in late 2024, but her 2-year-old filly by Zoustar who was purchased for $400,000 by Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Covert Action was purchased by Shane Nichols Racing for $150,000 from Cressfield at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Rosehill Gardens, Race 3, 12.35pm AEST, Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines BM72 3&4YO Handicap $160,000, 1500m
Columbus, 4-year-old gelding (Dundeel (NZ) x Tides {Fastnet Rock})
The Les Bridge-trained Columbus (Dundeel {NZ}) chases his third win from only his fifth start at Rosehill on Saturday over 1500 metres. He was an impressive winner at Newcastle at his last start resuming and looks a great chance to go back-to-back.
The beautifully-bred gelding is by Dundeel (NZ) and is the third foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Tides, who was a three-time winner on the track.
Columbus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tides is a full-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock) and the Listed winning gelding Groundswell (Fastnet Rock). This is also the family of the Champion Redoute’s Choice and his Group 1-winning half-brother and successful sire Manhattan Rain.
Tides, in recent times, has left a Maurice (Jpn) 2-year-old filly, a Castelvecchio yearling filly and is due to foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) in early October.
Columbus was purchased for $1,500,000 by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and the Alpha Syndicate from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Rosehill Gardens, Race 4, 1.10pm AEST, Ranvet BM72 3&4YO Handicap $160,000, 1200m
Internal Affairs, 3-year-old colt (Home Affairs x Kononkop (Arg) {Pure Prize {USA}})
Internal Affairs (Home Affairs) is chasing his second win at his fifth start at Rosehill on Saturday over 1200 metres for trainer Brad Widdup.
He was an impressive winner two starts ago at Hawkesbury and ran a solid race for fifth at Rosehill last time out, he didn’t look comfortable in the heavy conditions that day, so an improved track and with a handy barrier draw, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to winning form.
Internal Affairs as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Internal Affairs is by the outstanding young sire Home Affairs and his dam is Kononkop (Arg) (Pure Prize {USA}), who was a Champion 2-year-old filly in Argentina, and was a four-time winner including twice at Group 1 level.
Kononkop is a half-sister to Koller (Arg) (Orpen {USA}) who was a three-time Group 2 winner in Argentina, and she is out of Korea (USA) (Southern Halo {USA}) who won four times, including at Listed level in Argentina.
Since producing Internal Affairs, Kononkop has produced a 2-year-old colt by Home Affairs, and is due to foal to City Of Troy (USA) any day now.
Looking Back
Autumn Lover (The Autumn Sun) and Novamira (Lucky Vega {Ire}) were both scratched from Geelong, they will keep for another day.
