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 Zoustar and St Mark's Basilica (Fr) chase maiden success at Seymour on Friday
Bet365 Seymour, Race 2, 1.20pm, AEST, The Brewer’s Table Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1200m
Emoji Queen, 3-year-old filly (Zoustar x Exaltation (NZ) {Not A Single Doubt})
The beautifully-bred Emoji Queen (Zoustar) chases maiden success on debut at Seymour on Friday for trainer Chris Waller. She has shown good ability at the jump-outs and trials, and looks well-educated ahead of her first start where she has drawn barrier one.
Emoji Queen is the second foal out of Exaltation (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), who was a five-time winner in New Zealand from 1200 metres up to 2000 metres.
Emoji Queen as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Exaltation is a half-sister to the New Zealand Champion mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), who was a 19-time winner, including at Group 1 level 14 times. Some other family members include last season's G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) and the G3 Winx Guineas winner Cellarmaster (NZ) (Bivouac).
Exaltation, in recent times, has left a 2-year-old filly by Anamoe, a Zoustar yearling filly and missed to I Am Invincible last spring.
Emoji Queen was purchased for $520,000 by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bet365 Seymour, Race 3, 1.55pm, AEST, Avenel Equine Hospital 3YO Maiden Plate, $42,500, 1100m
Bushra, 3-year-old filly (St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) x Bewitchingly {I Am Invincible})
The Dominic Sutton-trained 3-year-old filly Bushra (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) makes her debut at Seymour on Friday on the back of four impressive jump-out wins and a third throughout the year.
Bushra is the second foal out of Bewitchingly (I Am Invincible) who was a winner over 1300 metres. She is well-bred, being a full sister to Catch Me (I Am Invincible) who was a dual Group 3-winner as a 2-year-old, including on debut in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes.
Bushra as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Bushra traces back directly to the influential mare Eight Carat (GB) and some of the classy Group-winners that do feature in the pedigree include the Group 1-winning fillies Hiyaam (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the Group 1-winners and stallions Don Eduardo (NZ), Danewin, Commands and Octagonal (NZ).
Bewitchingly, in recent times has produced a 2-year-old filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), a yearling colt by Wootton Bassett and is due to foal to Shinzo in October.
Bushra was purchased for $650,000 by Sutton Racing, Emirates Park, McKeever Bloodstock and B Rogers from the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Temptation (Lucky Vega {Ire}) - Ran a brave second on debut at Gosford.
Lancetta (Justify {USA}) - Ran a close-up second on the Ballarat Synthetic, a win is getting close.
