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 4-year-olds by Wootton Bassett (GB) and Farnan chase success at Newcastle on Thursday.
Newcastle, Race 1, 12.35pm AEST, Jockeys Celebration Day Class 1 & Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1880m
Tacitly, 4-year-old gelding (Wootton Bassett (GB) x Silently {Anabaa {USA}})
The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Tactily (Wootton Bassett (GB) lines up at Newcastle on Thursday, chasing his second career success.
He has been a very consistent performer in his career so far and comes into this race after running two solid seconds at Scone over 1400 and 1600 metres.
Tacitly’s dam Silently (Anabaa {USA}) was a listed winner on the track, and has gone on to leave eight individual winners including the South African Group 3 winner Muwaary (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Tacitly as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Silently is also very well-related being a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Criterion and Bull Point (Fastnet Rock).
Silently, in recent years has produced a 2-year-old colt by Tiger Of Malay and is due to foal to Tiger Of Malay again later this month.
William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased Tacitly for $60,000 from the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.
Newcastle, Race 5, 3.05pm AEST, The Port Stephens Examiner 4YO&UP Maiden Plate, $42,000, 1250m
Avon Calling, 4-year-old mare (Farnan x Miss Cosmetic {Fastnet Rock})
The Brad Widdup-trained Avon Calling (Farnan) chases maiden success at Newcastle on Thursday over 1250 metres.
The consistent mare has placed in three of her career starts and last start ran a fast-finishing second on the Illawarra Grange behind Isawyou (Star Witness).
Avon Calling as a yearling | Image courtesy Magic Millions
Avon Calling is out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Miss Cosmetic, she is well-bred mare, being a half-sister to the G1 BMW Stakes and G1 Victorian Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) and to the dam of the G1 Spring Champion Stakes winner El Castello (Castelvecchio).
Miss Cosmetic in recent times has left a Pierata yearling filly and is due to foal to Shinzo this spring.
Avon Calling was purchased for $160,000 by Brad Widdup Racing from the Lucas Bloodstock draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Looking Back
Lorax (Zoustar) - Disappointed running fourth at Canterbury.
Affari (Home Affairs) - Ran a strong second behind a handy one at Canterbury. That was a great resuming run and she is one to watch.
Novamira (Lucky Vega {Ire}) - Ran a bold second on debut behind an exciting type, she will be winning a maiden shortly off that effort.
